Doing Business Colombia 2011. Deloitte

Doing Business Colombia 2011 April 2011

Colombia Doing Business Colombia 2011 1.

Corporate Matters ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1

Permanent Establishment ..................................................................................................................................1

1.2

Subsidiaries ............................................................................................................................................................1

1.3

General Requirements for Subsidiaries ........................................................................................................3

1.4

Branches of foreign Corporations ....................................................................................................................3

1.5

Statutory Auditors .................................................................................................................................................3

1.6

Entities under surveillance by the Superintendence of Corporations ..................................................4

Exchange and foreign investments aspects ................................................................................................................ 5

2.1

Major Regulations .................................................................................................................................................5

2.2

Foreign Exchange Issues Supervised by Colombian Taxes and Customs Authority (DIAN) ......5

2.3

Foreign Exchange Issues Supervised by the Superintendence of Corporations .............................6

2.4

Foreign Exchange Issues Supervised by the Financial Superintendence .........................................6

2.5

An Investments Promotion Agency â&#x20AC;&#x201C; COINVERTIR .................................................................................6

2.6

Purchase and sale of Foreign Currency with Interventions purposes .................................................6

2.7

Foreign Exchange Regulations ........................................................................................................................6

2.8

Controlled Exchange Market .............................................................................................................................6

2.9

Transfers in foreign currency allowed between a head office and its Colombian Branch ............7

2.10

Prohibition to pay in foreign currency between Colombian residents ..................................................7

2.11

Deposits in Foreign Currencies in Colombia ...............................................................................................8

2.12

Foreign Exchange Regimes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; General, Special, and Very Special .....................................................8

2.13

Foreign Investments ............................................................................................................................................9

2.14

Importations and Exportations of Goods ..................................................................................................... 10

2.15

Foreign Indebtedness........................................................................................................................................ 10

2.16

Deposit ................................................................................................................................................................... 11

State contracts ........................................................................................................................................................................... 12

3.1

Applicable Regulation ........................................................................................................................................ 12

3.2

Contracting Requirements - Form ................................................................................................................. 15

3.3

Bid Scoring Criteria ............................................................................................................................................ 16

3.4

Treatment to National and Foreign Offers .................................................................................................. 16

3.5

Selection Process ............................................................................................................................................... 16

3.6

Exceptional Clauses (Inclusion into the Agreement)............................................................................... 18

3.7

Exceptional Clauses (Types of Clauses) .................................................................................................... 19

3.8

Penalties ................................................................................................................................................................ 20

3.9

Economic Balance .............................................................................................................................................. 20

3.10

Dispute Resolution ............................................................................................................................................. 20

Legal Labor System of Colombia ..................................................................................................................................... 22

4.1

Foreign employees ............................................................................................................................................. 22

4.2

Working Hours ..................................................................................................................................................... 22

4.3

Overtime ................................................................................................................................................................ 23

4.4

Vacations ............................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.5

Minimum Age ....................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.6

Minimum Wage.................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.7

Unionionized Employees .................................................................................................................................. 23

4.8

Legal Service Bonus .......................................................................................................................................... 23

4.9

Transportations allowance ............................................................................................................................... 23

4.10

Work Clothing ...................................................................................................................................................... 24

4.11

Severance ............................................................................................................................................................. 24

4.12

Interests on Severance ..................................................................................................................................... 24

4.13

Integral Salary System ...................................................................................................................................... 24

4.14

Integral Social Security System ..................................................................................................................... 24

4.15

Healthcare ............................................................................................................................................................. 24

4.16

Pension Regime .................................................................................................................................................. 24

4.17

Old-Age Pension (OAP) ................................................................................................................................... 25

4.18

Disability Pension ............................................................................................................................................... 25

4.19

Survivor‟s Pension .............................................................................................................................................. 26

4.20

Professional Risks .............................................................................................................................................. 26

4.21

Temporary Work Visas / Visas for Employment Agreement (Decree 4000 of 2004) ................... 26

4.22

Temporary Work Visas / Eligibility Requirements (Resolution 255 of 2005) ................................... 26

4.23

Business Visas (Decree 4000 of 2004, Resolution 4700 of 2009) ..................................................... 27

4.24

Temporary Visa – Technical Assistance Permit (Decree 4000 of 2004) .......................................... 27

Environment Aspects ............................................................................................................................................................. 28

5.1

Legal Framework ................................................................................................................................................ 28

5.2

Environmental Licenses ................................................................................................................................... 15

5.3

“Green Taxes” ...................................................................................................................................................... 16

5.4

Special Charges for the Energy Industry .................................................................................................... 17

5.5

Tax Incentives ...................................................................................................................................................... 17

Intellectual Property ................................................................................................................................................................ 18

6.1

Generalities ........................................................................................................................................................... 18

6.2

Industrial Property .............................................................................................................................................. 18

6.3

Common Regime ................................................................................................................................................ 18

6.4

International Treatments .................................................................................................................................. 18

6.5

Local Legislation ................................................................................................................................................. 19

6.6

Trademarks, Trade Slogans, Collective Trademarks, Certification Marks and Trade Names

and Emblems ...................................................................................................................................................................... 19 6.7

Commercial Names and Emblems ............................................................................................................... 20

6.8

Denominations of Origin ................................................................................................................................... 21

6.9

Integrated Circuit Layout Design ................................................................................................................... 22

6.10

Patents ................................................................................................................................................................... 22

6.11

Utility Model .......................................................................................................................................................... 23

6.12

Industrial Designs ............................................................................................................................................... 23

6.13

Plant Variety Protection .................................................................................................................................... 23

6.14

Copyrights ............................................................................................................................................................. 23

6.15

Enforceability of Intellectual Property Rights ............................................................................................. 24

Tax Matters .................................................................................................................................................................................. 25

7.1

Income Tax ........................................................................................................................................................... 25

7.2

Value Added Tax ................................................................................................................................................ 28

7.3

Net Worth Tax ...................................................................................................................................................... 28

7.4

Registration Fees ................................................................................................................................................ 28

7.5

Levy on Financial Transactions ...................................................................................................................... 29

7.6

Industry and Commerce Tax ........................................................................................................................... 29

7.7

Property Tax ......................................................................................................................................................... 29

7.8

Transfer Pricing Rules ....................................................................................................................................... 29

Foreign Matters ......................................................................................................................................................................... 31

8.1

Tariff Benefits ....................................................................................................................................................... 31

8.2

Foreign Trade in Colombia .............................................................................................................................. 32

8.3

Free Trade Zones ............................................................................................................................................... 35

8.4

VAT Benefits from Imports of Machinery and Equipment ...................................................................... 36

Investments in the Financial Sector ............................................................................................................................... 37

9.1

General Regulatory Framework ..................................................................................................................... 37

9.2

Where to Invest ................................................................................................................................................... 37

9.3

How to invest ........................................................................................................................................................ 39

9.4

Authorities Governing Financial Activities................................................................................................... 40

9.5

Authorities Governing Investment Operations .......................................................................................... 41

9.6

Loan Institutions and Similar Entities ........................................................................................................... 41

9.7

Essential Requirements for permanent accompanying to the current or future Investors by

entities under supervision of the Financial Superintendence of Colombia. .................................................... 42

1. Corporate Matters

1.1

Permanent Establishment

Pursuant to article 474 of the Colombian Commerce Code, if a foreign organization performs any of the following activities within a business scheme, such organization is considered to develop a permanent activity in Colombia: 1.

Opening within Colombia territory of commercial establishments or business offices.

Participating as contractor in the performance of works or rendering of services.

Participating in any private savings managing activity.

Carrying out activities related to the extractive industry.

Obtaining or participating in a government concession.

The running of its shareholders´ meetings, boards of directors, management or administration.

When in performance of business in Colombia, any of the above mentioned presumptions is present, an entity must be formally established in Colombian by incorporating, either a branch or a subsidiary in the country.

1.2

Subsidiaries

A subsidiary is a company established in accordance with Colombia‟s corporate types. The most common types of corporations to carry out business in Colombia are Stock Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Simple Limited Partnerships or Limited Partnerships by Shares and Simplified Stock Corporations. Stock Corporations Concept – A capital stock structure in which the shareholders‟ liability is limited to the amount of their contributions. In Colombia, stock corporations are identified by the company name, followed by the abbreviation “S.A.”. It must have a minimum of five (5) shareholders and there is no limit to the number of shareholders.

Administration and Control – Administrative functions are performed by (i) the General Shareholders‟ Meeting; (ii) the Board of Directors; and, (iii) the Legal Representative. Each share of capital represents one (1) vote. Decisions must be taken by a previously specified majority. Finally, it is mandatory to have a statutory auditor at all times. Shareholders’ Liability – It is limited to the value of the capital contribution. However, according to isolated case law under special circumstances, liability regarding labor matters in stock corporations may also affect its shareholders Capital Stock – Capital stock is represented by shares. At the time of incorporating the company at least fifty percent (50%) of the authorized capital stock must be subscribed and at least one third of the value of each share must be paid. If payments are to be made by installments, the total payment must be made at the latest one (1) year after subscribing the shares. Contributions in kind are allowed provided that the stockholders agree on their valuation. Assignment of shares is carried out by endorsement and delivery of the respective security. Limited Liability Company Concept – Corporate structure of people in which the partners are responsible up to the value of their contributions. Its corporate name must be accompanied with the word ―Limited or the abbreviation ―¨Ltda.¨ Failure to include this word in the by-laws shall make the partners responsible in an unlimited and jointly manner in respect to third parties. The number of partners shall not exceed twenty five. Administrative and Control – Administration corresponds to (i) the Board of Partners, and (ii) the Legal Representative. Each quota represents one (1) vote. Decisions require a majority vote and plurality of partners to be approved. This company does not require a statutory auditor as long as its revenues and/or assets do not exceed the limits established by law. Partners’ Liability – It is limited to the value of their contributions, except fiscal and labor liabilities. Capital Stock – Capital stock is represented by quotas. They have to be fully paid at the time of incorporation or every time that there is a capital increase. The assignment of quotas implies a bylaw reform.

Simple Limited Partnerships or Limited Partnerships by Shares Concept – One or more partners are subject to unlimited liability for the obligations of the company and one or more partners are only responsible up to the value of the subscribed capital or capital contributed to the company. The former are called general partners and the later limited partners or shareholders. The name of Partnerships shall be formed by the full name or the surname of one or more managing partners and the expression ―”and Company” shall be added, or the abbreviation ―”& Cía.” followed in any case by the abbreviated indication ―”S en C” or the abbreviation ―”S.C.A.” if it is formed by shares, and failing this, it shall be assumed for all legal purposes that the company is a collective partnership. There are two (2) types of limited simple partnerships: (i)

Limited Simple Partnership, which is regulated similarly to the limited liability companies.

(ii) Limited Partnership by Shares, which is similar to the stock corporation. Administration and control - Administration corresponds to: (i) the Board of Partners, and (ii) the Legal Representative, in the case of Limited Simple Partnership. Limited partners have no participation in the company's management, although they can attend meetings and express their opinion. In the case of the Limited Simple Partnership by Shares, administration and control are the same as those of the concept stock companies. Partners' liability - See explanation above in the item – concept. Capital stock - It may be formed in two (2) ways: Partnership simple and by shares. In the first case, capital stock is represented by quotas of the same value or interest. In the latter it depends on whether it is formed with contributions of special or ordinary stockholders. Limited Simple Partnerships by Shares have the same capital stock structure of stock companies. Simple Stock Corporations Concept – Corporate capital structure in which shareholders are liable for up to the sum of their contributions. Its corporate name must be followed by the abbreviation ―”S.A.S.” It may be incorporated with one or several associated, 2

through an agreement or unilateral act evidenced in a private document without need of a public deed.

incorporate a branch domiciled in Colombian territory.

Administrative and Control Functions – The organizational structure of the company and other regulations that rule its operation are freely determined. However, if not indicated in the bylaws, the administrative duties are exercised by: (i) General Shareholders‟ Meeting or Sole Shareholder, and (ii) Legal Representative. Each capital share entitles to a single or multiple vote, as indicated in the bylaws. Decisions must be made by a special majority previously specified.

In respect to the reporting requirements and in compliance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Colombia (Colombian GAAP) 1, branch offices must keep accounting books and their accounting records denominated in Colombian pesos and in the Spanish language.

Stockholders’ liability – It is limited to the value of the capital contribution and its shareholders will never be liable for the labor, tax or any other kind of obligations incurred by the company. Capital stock – The capital stock is represented by shares. The subscription and payment may be made in the conditions, proportions and terms agreed in the bylaws; however, the payment term shall not exceed two (2) years. Contributions in kind are permitted provided that the shareholders agree on their valuation. The assignment of shares is made by the endorsement and delivery of the respective security.

1.3

General Requirements for Subsidiaries

In terms of the reporting requirements and compliance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in Colombia (Colombian GAAP), subsidiaries must keep accounting books and their accounting records denominated in Colombian pesos and in the Spanish language. The main financial information includes the balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained earnings, statement of changes in shareholders' equity, statement of changes in the financial position, and statement of cash flows.

The main financial information includes the balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained earnings, statement of changes in stockholders' equity, statement of changes in financial position, and statement of cash flows. Branch offices of foreign companies have an obligation to appoint and have a Statutory Auditor regardless of their income and/or shareholders' equity levels, as provided by article 489 of the Commercial Code. Pursuant to article 485 of the Commercial Code and Concept 220-58283 dated December 9, 1996; from the Superintendence of Corporations, the home office of a branch operating in Colombia has the risk of being considered responsible for the activities of its branch office in the country.

1.5

Statutory Auditors

It is mandatory to appoint a statutory auditor in branches and stock companies. The other legal entities only require the appoint of a statutory auditor if their gross income exceeds 3,000 minimum monthly legal wages2 (equivalent to COP $1,606,800,000 approximately USD $803,400)3 and/or their assets exceed 5,000 minimum monthly legal wages (equivalent to COP $2,678,000,000 approximately USD $1,339,000).

Every foreign investment made in the company must be duly registered before the Central Bank and must be brought into the country in full compliance with foreign investment and exchange laws.

1.4

Branches of foreign Corporations

Pursuant to article 471 of the Colombian Commercial Code, any company that wishes to carry out permanent activities in Colombia must

Law 1314 of 2009. It regulates the principles, accounting regulations, financial information, and insure of the information accepted by Colombia. The Legal Minimum Monthly Wage in Colombia has been fixed at COP$535,600 for the period running from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Average exchange rate used is COP$2,000.

1.6

Entities under surveillance by the Superintendence of Corporations

Pursuant to Decree 4350 of 2006 and 2300 of 2008, in general terms, commercial companies as well as branches of foreign corporations, will be subject to surveillance by the Superintendence of Corporations, provided that as of the date of closing of their financial statements they have assets or gross income that exceed 30,000 minimum monthly legal salaries (equivalent to COP $16,068,000,000 approximately US $8,034,000).

2. Exchange and foreign investments aspects

2.1

EXCHANGE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENTS ASPECTS

Major Regulations

Law 9 of 1991 (Known as ―¨Framework Law¨) Law 31 of 1991 (Central Bank) Decree 1735 of 1993 (Defines the term “resident” for currency exchange purposes). International Investment Code - Decree 2080 of 2000 and its modifications. Exchange Regime Code – External Resolution 8 of 2000 issued by the Central Bank and its modifications. Exchange Regime Manual - External Circular DCIN-83 and its modifications (includes, among others, exchange forms and exchange item numbers to identify transactions).

2.2

Foreign Exchange Issues Supervised by Colombian Taxes and Customs Authority (DIAN)

The Colombian Taxes and Customs Authority (DIAN) controls the fulfillment of exchange obligations arising from imports and exports of goods and services and their expenses, as well as the financing in foreign currency of any foreign trade operation. In addition, DIAN is entitled to control any other exchange matter that has not been included in the scope of the Financial Superintendence or the Superintendence of Corporations. The applicable regulations are Law 383 of 1997, Decree 1074 of 1999 and Decree 1066 of 2006, which provides the exchange administrative procedure and penalties, respectively.

2.3

Foreign Exchange Issues Supervised by the Superintendence of Corporations

The Superintendence of Corporations controls the fulfillment of exchange obligations arising from international investments and foreign indebtedness as working capital. Both the penalties and the exchange administrative procedure are established in Decrees 1746 and 2578 of 1991.

2.4

Foreign Exchange Issues Supervised by the Financial Superintendence

The Financial Superintendence controls the fulfillment of exchange obligations by financial intermediaries also known as exchange intermediaries. The penalties that may be imposed by this entity are included in article 45 of Law 795 of 2003.

2.5

An Investments Promotion Agency – COINVERTIR

2.7

Foreign Exchange Regulations

Although the exchange market flows freely, there are exchange regulations that establish those exchange operations that must be channeled through the exchange market, the procedures and penalties for infringement. The rules applicable on exchange matters are issued jointly by Congress, the Government and the Central Bank. Congress has jurisdiction to issue general principles that will guide the Government to regulate foreign trade and international exchange as well as to issue laws related to the Central Bank and the duties of its Board of Directors. The Government has the constitutional duty of issuing the foreign capital investment regime. ¨Banco de la Republica¨ is the Central Bank of Colombia and is the maximum authority on credit, monetary and exchange matters and, therefore, is the competent authority to regulate exchange operations.

2.8

Controlled Exchange Market

COINVERTIR is a nonprofit mixed private entity created jointly by private companies and the government. Its main object is to promote foreign investment in Colombia.

According to the Exchange Code, the following operations must be channeled through the exchange market: 

Importation and exportation of goods.

This entity promotes investment in the major economic sectors and provides a guide and information to foreign investors. It also submits proposal to the government to eliminate aspects that may affect foreign investment in the country. It was established in 1992.



Foreign indebtedness of Colombian residents and financial costs inherent to these operations.



Foreign investments and their corresponding profits.



Colombian investments abroad as well as their corresponding profits.



Foreign investments in securities or assets located abroad, unless said investment is made with funds that do not have to be channeled through the exchange market.



Securities and guarantees in foreign currency.



Derivative operations (Forwards, futures, options, swaps, floors, caps and collars).

2.6

Purchase and sale of Foreign Currency with Interventions purposes

The Board of Directors of the Central Bank is the highest authority in Colombia on credit, monetary and exchange matters. The Central Bank may intervene in the exchange market in order to avoid undesirable fluctuations in the exchange rate, as well as in the amount of international reserves, through the spot or future sale or direct or indirect acquisition of foreign currency. However, the Central Bank does not participate in the exchange market to control the exchange rate and said market flows freely.

The above mentioned operations must be made through a foreign market intermediary and/or through a settlement account. Never the less, the Central Bank may establish through general regulation, special exceptions to the mandatory canalization of such operations. 6

Foreign market intermediaries Foreign market intermediaries (FMI) are commercial banks, mortgage banks, financial corporations, commercial financing companies, Financiera Energética Nacional (FEN), Banco de Comercio Exterior de Colombia S.A. (BANCOLDEX), financial cooperatives, stock broker companies and foreign exchange agents. Settlement accounts Residents in Colombia may freely establish deposits in financial corporations located abroad, with money obtained through the exchange market or with funds that do not require to be channeled through the exchange market.

to have an account to make payments in foreign currency or an account to receive such payments. The holder of a special settlement account can only receive a type of income in that account, operations that are required to be channeled through the exchange market and as withdrawals the following: payments in foreign currency to another resident in Colombia, sale of foreign currency to intermediaries of the exchange market or to holder of other settlement accounts. On the other hand, the holder of a special account to receive payments only may receive in this account the corresponding sum and as withdrawals the balance of money may be used to: pay operations that are required to be channeled through the exchange market, sale of foreign currency to financial intermediaries and to other holders of settlement accounts.

If the account is used to perform operations that are required to be channeled through the exchange market, the account will be called ―¨Settlement Account¨, which is subject to the following rules:

Overnight operations and free market operations are not permitted through special settlement accounts.



The account must be registered before the Central Bank within the month following the date of opening in foreign currency.

2.9



Every month the holder of the account must report the consolidated movement of the operations carried out through it, to the Central Bank through the Webpage of said entity.

In general terms, the head office and its Colombian branch are allowed to transfer foreign currency corresponding to the following items:



In addition, the transactions made through the account that are the competence of the DIAN, shall be reported quarterly to the mentioned entity in accordance with the last digit of its tax identification number (NIT).



The foreign currency deposited to the settlement account may be sold only to exchange market intermediaries, other holders of settlement accounts or be used to pay foreign currency operations that require or not to be channeled through the foreign exchange market.

Please take note that there are two kinds of settlement accounts: Ordinary settlement accounts and special settlement accounts. In the first one, a Colombian resident may handle all operations (both exchange market and free market operations) with non residents. Through the special settlement account, as an exception Colombian residents may pay in foreign currency internal operations among themselves. For this purpose, it would be necessary

Transfers in foreign currency allowed between a head office and its Colombian Branch



Transfers of assigned capital or supplementary investment to the assigned capital.



Remittance of profits or capital assigned and supplementary investment.



Payment of foreign trade operations in compliance with tax and customs regulations.



Payment of services in accordance with tax regulations.

2.10

Prohibition to pay in foreign currency between Colombian residents

No contract, agreement or operation entered into between residents is an exchange operation and therefore shall be paid in Colombian legal currency. Exceptions: Special exchange regime, special settlement accounts, external credits granted by Foreign Market Intermediaries to residents.

2.11

Deposits in Foreign Currencies in Colombia

It is not permitted that Colombian residents make deposits or have checking or savings accounts in foreign currency in Colombian banks. Exceptions: a) Individuals and legal persons not resident in the country; b) Diplomatic and consular mission accredited before the Colombian Government and his officials; c) Multilateral organizations and its officials; d) Public or private entities that are carrying out international technical cooperation programs with the National Government for amounts effectively disbursed by foreign cooperation organizations; e) International transportation agencies, travel and tourism agencies, deposits and bonded warehouses and entities that provide port and airport services; f) fiduciary companies in performance of trusts or as representative, speaker or administrator of autonomous equities; and g) Foreign agents who act as liquidity suppliers of foreign currency settlement and assessment systems.

2.12

Foreign Exchange Regimes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; General, Special, and Very Special

General Foreign Exchange Regime Applicable to branches of foreign companies and companies incorporated under the Colombian legislation not engaged in the oil and mining sector. Under this regime, Colombian residents cannot pay their obligations (with other residents) in foreign currency. However, there are some exceptions, such as special settlement accounts. In addition, Colombian residents may pay in foreign currency to ECOPETROL and to companies engaged in oil refinery, purchase of fuel for ships and aircraft intended to international trips.

Special Foreign Exchange Regime Applicable to branches of foreign companies engaged in the exploration and production of coal, natural gas, oil, ferronickel and uranium and to the branches that provide services exclusively to the oil sector pursuant to Law 9 of 1991 and Decrees 2058 of 1991 and 1629 of 1997. Branches that do not wish to be part of the special regime must notify this fact to the Central Bank by means of a written communication and would be excluded from it for 10 years counted as of the filing of said communication. Branches of the special regime are authorized to make and receive payments in foreign currency between themselves within the country, provided that the foreign currency proceeds from resources obtained in their operation. In addition, they have no obligation to reimburse to the exchange market the foreign currency from their sales in foreign currency. These branches are not allowed access to the exchange market and therefore cannot acquire foreign currency in the exchange market for any purpose. Consequently, they have no access to foreign debt, their imports of goods are not reimbursable (they do not generate payment obligation abroad) and their exports of goods do not have a refundable nature. Nevertheless, prior certificate from the statutory auditor, they are allowed to resort to the exchange market in order to issue abroad the following sums: a) the capital investment in case of liquidation of the company, and b) the sums received in local currency on occasion of the internal sales of oil, natural gas or services inherent to the oil sector. Very Special Regime

Residents in Colombia can also pay in foreign currency the purchase of crude oil and natural gas

produced in the country, to the companies engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Entities that are part of the special exchange regime are permitted access to the exchange market in order to obtain the resources to pay their obligations as nonresident. Therefore, imports and exports of goods may be reimbursable and have access to foreign debt.

Applicable to national companies and with foreign capital, engaged in the exploration and production of coal, natural gas, oil, ferronickel and uranium, as well as to companies that provide services exclusively to the oil sector in accordance with Law 9 of 1991 and Decrees 2058 of 1991 and 1629 of 1997. Companies of the very special regime are authorized to enter into and pay contracts in foreign currency among themselves (including branches of the special regime) within the country, provided that

the respective foreign currency come from resources obtained in their operation.

the company; f) the acquisition of participations in private capital funds.

They are allowed access to the exchange market in order to obtain resources to pay their obligations to non residents. In fact, they may have settlement accounts, access to foreign debt; their imports are non reimbursable goods and their exports of goods do not have a refundable nature.

Portfolio Investments

2.13

Modalities of Foreign Capital Investment

Foreign Investments

Foreign capital investments are allowed in Colombia, including the acquisition of real estate. However, certain specific sectors are forbidden for foreign investments, for example, there can be no foreign investment in the national security or defense activities or in activities related to the processing and disposal of toxic, hazardous or radioactive waste produced abroad.

In Colombia, portfolio investments are defined as any investment made in shares, bonds mandatorily convertible into shares, and other securities registered in the National Register of Securities.

Foreign Investment Categories

Foreign investment in Colombia may entail the following modalities: a) import of foreign currency freely convertible into local currency; b) import of tangible goods such as machinery and equipment or other physical goods imported under a non reimbursable modality; c) contributions in kind consisting of intangibles such as technological contributions, trademarks, patents, etc.; d) funds in local currency entitled to be remitted abroad such as the principal and interest of foreign credit, sums due corresponding to reimbursable imports, profits entitled to remittance and royalties derived from duly registered contracts; and e) funds in local currency arising from local credit operations entered into the credit institutions, intended to the acquisition of shares made through the stock market.

Foreign capital investments in Colombia may be of the following types:

Registration process of Foreign Investments before the Central Bank

Direct Foreign Investment

Foreign investments may be registered in three different ways:

On the other hand, and according to Law 182 of 1995 modified by Law 680 of 2001 and Decree 1629 of 1997, the foreign investment in television is limited to 40% of the total capital stock. Accordingly, 60% of the capital participating in these companies must be Colombian capital.

Activities deemed as direct foreign investments include the following: a) the acquisition of participations, shares, corporate quotas, contributions representative of capital of a company or bonds mandatorily convertible into shares; b) the acquisition of rights in autonomous equities created by means of trust agreements to carry out a company or for the purchase, sale and administration of participations in companies that are not registered in the National Register of Securities and Intermediaries; c) the supplementary investment to the assigned capital of branches in Colombia; d) the acquisition of real estate, as well as equity securities issued as a result of a real estate securitization process of a real estate o construction projects or through real estate funds: e) contributions made by the investor such as acts or contracts when it does not represent a participation in the company and the income that generates the investment depend on the profits of

Automatic registration via the presentation of the international investments exchange statement (Form No. 4) This type of registration is applicable to the foreign currency remitted to Colombia for direct and portfolio investment, provided that the operation is performed through the exchange market. Automatic registration via a request in due form (Form No. 11 and plane file) This type of registration is applicable for investments under the modality of sums entitled to remittance, whether it refers to direct or portfolio investment. In case of direct foreign investment, Form No. 11 must be submitted no later than the following 12 months from the date of the capitalization 9

accounting receipt is produced. This term is not extendable.

2.14

In case of portfolio investments, the registration will be made with transmission by the local administrator of the fund, of the corresponding plane file, within the month following that of the investment and in this case, this term is not extendable.

Reimbursements or payments of importations of goods shall be channeled through the foreign exchange market. Reimbursements will be paid up once the Form No. 1 (exchange declaration for import of goods) is duly filled-out and processed.

Registration with fulfillment of requirements for investment (Forms 11 and 13) This type of registration is applicable to the investment in autonomous equities, to the acquisition of real estate goods, to the investment in kind (tangible and intangible assets) and acts or contracts that do not grant any participation in the capital of a company; to the acquisition of shares through the stock market with local currency funds resulting from local credit operations, as well as the supplementary investment to the assigned capital that are part of a special exchange regime. The registration must be made within a period of three months (and may be extended for a period of three additional months), counted as of: 



Autonomous equities and real estate: from the date of the exchange declaration for international investments. Contributions in kind (tangible and intangible goods): from the date of nationalization or customs clearance of ordinary of non reimbursable ordinary imports; the date when temporary imports become ordinary; the date of the form of movement of goods in free trade zones (entry of goods) issued by the operator user and, the date they are accounted for in the case of intangible assets. Acts or contracts without participation in the capital: from the date of the exchange declaration for international investments in case that foreign currency is channeled through the exchange market and in modalities other than foreign currency said term will be counted as of the date that the contribution is accounted for. Supplementary investment to the assigned capital for branches of the special exchange regime: from the date of the annual closing of the financial statements as of December 31st.

Importations and Exportations of Goods

On the other hand and in general terms, residents in the country shall channel through the exchange market the foreign currency from their exports of goods including those that they receive directly in cash, , either in the case of refund for exports or those that are received as advance payment for future exports of goods (prior to the shipment of the goods). The reimbursement must be made through Form No. 2 (exchange declaration for exports of goods). The foreign currency received by exporters on futures exports of goods, shall not constitute a financial obligation with recognition of interest, or generate for the exporter an obligation other than the delivery of the goods. Finally, it is important to point out that offsetting is not admissible in foreign trade operations.

2.15

Foreign Indebtedness

The foreign currency received or paid as a consequence of a credit operation must be channeled through the exchange market. In addition, prior to or simultaneously with the disbursement, it will be required to report the foreign debt to the Central Bank through the exchange market intermediaries. Colombian residents can only obtain credits in foreign currency from: a) foreign financial institutions (FFI); b) foreign market intermediaries (FMI) directly or against rediscount public entity funds, and c) through the placement of securities in international capital markets. These modalities are considered liability credits since the debtor is a Colombian resident. Colombian residents and exchange market intermediaries who obtain credits in foreign currency from financial entities abroad, can only apply for those credits when the entities are published in the Webpage of the Central Bank. The list will be make up by: a) foreign financial entities located abroad with representation office in Colombia authorized by the Financial 10

Superintendence of Colombia; b) foreign reinsurers registered in the registration kept by the Financial Superintendence of Colombia. In this case, the debtor must have the condition as Colombian insurer or reinsurer; c) international and/or multilateral credit organizations; d) foreign risk capital funds that evidence to the Central Bank that they perform credit activities in different countries and that those operations are made in cooperation with international and/or multilateral credit organizations; e) multilateral financial promotion funds created by international agreements executed by the Colombian Government; f) the foreign financial entities that prove to the Central Bank their capacity as such with the certificate from the specialized financial supervision entity equivalent to the Financial Superintendence of Colombia; g) foreign entities that provide financial services intended to channel funds or grant credits with guarantee or insurance from multilateral or state foreign trade promotion or foreign investment protection and promotion agencies; h) agencies and branches of exchange market intermediaries located abroad; i) foreign bank institutions of a governmental nature for promotion of agriculture that evidence to the Central Bank their condition as such with the certificate from the corresponding specialized supervision entity; j) entities that do not conform to any of the above criteria must evidence the qualification of the institution or its shareholders or participants or, that the applicant declares that the institution complies with the money laundering regulations in the jurisdiction where it performs its operations.

2.16

Deposit

The deposit is a mechanism to discourage Colombian residents from obtaining credits in foreign currency, since financial costs become more expensive. The deposit is a requirement for the disbursement of the foreign liability credits (when the debtor is a resident), , non formalized investments, , imports of financed goods and foreign portfolio investments. The deposit shall be created in those cases applicable and in the amounts, terms and conditions indicated by the Board of Directors of the Central Bank. However, currently is 0%.

Any interested party may request, by means of a written communication to the International Exchange Department of the Central Bank, the inclusion in the list of these entities after evidencing the mentioned criteria. In any event, the Central Bank may not authorize the inclusion or eliminate any entity from the list. On the other hand, Colombian residents may grant loans in foreign currency to non residents and this modality is called active credits since the creditor is a Colombian resident. From an exchange perspective and for the private sector, the parties may freely agree the terms, interest and, in general, the terms and conditions of the credit. Offsetting and condoning are not permitted. Dation in payment is admissible prior approval by the Board of Directors of the Central Bank. 11

3. State contracts

3.1

STATE CONTRACTS

Applicable Regulation

State contracts are subject to the General Contracting Code of the Public Administration, provided by Law 80 of 1993 and Law 1150 of 2007 and their regulatory decrees:

Regulatory Decree

Contents

Decree 1170 of 2008

Regulates the alienation of properties that belong to the Colombian Rehabilitation and Social Investment Fund.

Decree 2474 of 2008

Regulates in part the provisions specified in Laws 80 of 1993, and 1150 of 2007. Nonetheless, effectiveness of this decree has been placed on provisional suspension, on several occasions.

Decree 3460 of 2008

Regulates policy parameters applicable to all policies on contract add-ons, as provided by Colombia‟s National Economic and Social Policies Council (CONPES, for its acronym in Spanish).

Decree 4444 of 2008

Regulates the alienation of properties owned by the Government and managed by public entities subject to the supervision of the E.G.C

Decree 4533 of 2008

Regulates private initiatives specified in article 32, law 80 of 1993.

Decree 4828 of 2008

Regulates the Regime of Guarantees for public contracting.

Decree 2345 of 2008

Regulates the submission of proposals via electronic means for concession agreements granted by the National Government.

Decree 1175 of 2008

Amends article 6, Decree 1800 of 2003. Regulates the creation of Colombia‟s National Concessions Institute (INCO, for its acronym in Spanish) and defines its structure.

Decree 485 of 2009

Adds to Decree 3620 of 2004. Regulates the creation of Colombia‟s Public Contracting Inter-Sector Committee (Comisión Intersectorial de Contratación Pública).

Decree 127 of 2009

Adds article 53, Decree 2474 of 2008.

Decree 490 of 2009

Amends Decree 4828 of 2008, in regards to provisions governing insurance companies.

Decree 2025 of 2009

Amends Decree 2474 of 2008.

Decree 3576 of 2009

Amends in part Decrees 2474 of 2008 and 2025 of 2009.

Decree 4548 of 2009

Enforces the provisions specified in article 14, Law 1150 of 2007, in regard to the manager‟s role in the Departmental Plans for Water and Sanitation Business Management, as specified in article 91, law 1151 of 2007.

Decree 3806 of 2009

Specifies various regulations intended to promote the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the National Industry as a whole, by means of public contracting.

Decree 2493 of 2009

Amends in part Decree 4828 of December 24, 2008.

Decree 1430 of 2010

Regulates in part article 7, Law 1150 of 2007, in regard to guarantees for the execution of contracts involving space technologies. Specifies other regulations applicable to the undersigning of this type of contracts.

Decree 1039 of 2010

Adds article 79, Decree 2474 of 2008.

Decree 1464 of 2010

Regulates in part Law 1150 of 2007, in regard to verification of bidder‟s conditions and accreditation before any Colombian Chambers of Commerce, under the Unified Bidders Registration protocol. Further specifies other applicable regulations.

Decree 2473 de 2010

Regulated in part Law 816 of 2003 and amends laws 1150 of 2007

Resolution 13011 of 2010 Superintendence of Corporations.

By approving the international parity factor.

In general, regulations specified in the General Contracting Code of the Public Administration are applicable to government agencies, as provided for in article 2, Law 80 of 1993. Nonetheless, it should be noted that certain agencies exist that, regardless of their public nature, perform contractual activities that fall under special regimes other than those defined under the General Contracting Code, as is the case of publicly funded utility companies, governmental financial institutions, and industrial and commercial state-owned companies, as well as mixed entities in which the National government owns more than 50% of their corporate capital. To become eligible to operate under special regimes, the aforementioned entities are required to remain competitive and operate under monopolistic or regulated markets.

guiding principles which are intended to provide such activities with the levels of transparency, accessibility, efficiency, equality and frugality that the Colombian National Government wishes to instill and sustain at state-owned entity levels.4

Both, entities governed by the regime specified in Law 80 of 1993, as amended, and state-owned entities that operate under regimes other than those specified in the General Contracting Code, shall execute their contractual activities under certain

The scope of the General Contracting Code covers essentially the following stages of the contracting process: (i) Pre-contractual; that is, the stage which involves planning for the forthcoming contracting process, and selection of contractors; and, (ii) Contractual; that is, the stage which involves the execution of all contractual activities until the successful termination and payment of all contracts in effect.

Law 1150 of 2007, article 13. General principles for contractual activities by entities not subject to the general public Administration Contracting Code. “State-owned entities that by law are required to operate under a contractual regime other than that of the General Public Administration Contracting Code shall apply, pursuant to their special legal regime and during the execution of their contractual activities, the administrative function and fiscal management principles provided for in articles 209 and 267 of the Colombian Political Constitution, respectively as the case may be, and shall further be subject to the inabilities and incompatibilities regime legally instituted for all governmental contracting activities.”

Private law is applicable to governmental contracts, except in those cases in which the Colombian Political Constitution, the General Public Administration Contracting Code, or the respective special regime specify specific regulations which are to be incorporated into a certain contract.

3.2

Contracting Requirements - Form

In general, contracts in Colombia are entered into through the undersigning of a written document and do not require a public deed5. If there is an evident urgent situation, that is, the immediate need to overcome or put an end to exceptional circumstances or disaster, it is not necessary to enter into a contract through a written document. In these cases, the payment to the contractor must be agreed by the parties, a situation that must take place, at the most, when the execution of the contract begins. If there is no agreement, a third party or mediator makes the valuation. An articulated review of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x;s entity annual budget and contract value, may determine that the contract not only must be in writing, but also must be published in the Official Diary. In these cases, the contractor covers all the publication costs. The general contracting code contains the relevant guidelines. It should be noted that, pursuant to the regulations specified in all applicable laws6, the execution of any governmental contract shall only take place if the following requirements are duly met: (i) Approval of the Single Performance Guarantee submitted by the contractor before the government entity; and, (ii) Availability of budget funds allocated to the contracting public entity for contractor payment purposes, as certified in the entityâ&#x20AC;&#x;s official records.

on the national or foreign individuals or legal persons domiciled or with branch in Colombia, who expect to enter into contracts with state entities. RUP is the source of accreditation of the qualifying requirements to be met by bidders to participate in the contracting processes, such as legal capacity and financial experience and organization conditions. Any entity willing to become a contractor for the Colombian Government must be registered in the RUP, except for those specific cases discussed under Law 1150 of 2007. Among such exceptional cases, the following should be mentioned: Direct contracting; contracts for the rendering of healthcare services; contracts with a contract value no greater than 10% of the lower-value contracting mark fixed for the respective entity; state property alienation processes; contracts for the acquisition of goods of agricultural origin or destination, as offered in legally constituted product exchange markets; acts or contracts whose main purpose is to carry out commercial or industrial activities which are inherent by nature to the performance of commercial or industrial practices by Governmental entities, mixed economy entities, or through the undersigning of any concession contract whatsoever. In all cases referred to above, contracting entities are liable for verifying the biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x; conditions and situation. It corresponds to the interested bidders to carry out the process of registration at the corresponding Chamber of Commerce, which in turn will have the responsibility of checking the documentation submitted in order to classify and rate the bidder in respect to his experience, legal, financial and organizational capacity. The registration procedure, its administration and the work by the Chambers of Commerce are ruled by Decree 1664 of 2010.

Minimum Requirements Registration in the Single Suppliers Register The Single Suppliers Register (RUP, for its initials in Spanish) is the registration made by the Chamber of Commerce, which contains information

Except for those contracts which imply either a change of ownership or the enforcement of encumbrances and real easements upon real estate properties, and, in general, for those contracts that pursuant to legal regulations in effect must comply with said formalities. Article 23, Law 1150 of 2007

If the bidder adopts an association scheme, such as consortium or temporary union, it is necessary that each member of the association will register independently in the RUP. The registration in the RUP is a minimum requirement in order to submit an offer within a selection process. Registration is subject to modifications

through data updates which can be performed by the contractor when renewing the commercial register, as required (on a yearly basis, one calendar month prior to the registration‟s date of maturity). If the interested party fails to renew the RUP within the term specified by the corresponding Chamber of Commerce, all registration benefits will cease to exist until the interested party reactivates the registration.7 After making the registration, the respective Chamber of Commerce will certify the rating, classification and qualifying requirements of the bidder. Consequently, government agencies shall refrain themselves from requesting any information that is already certified under the RUP, and shall therefore carry out their reviewing activities on the basis of the information duly certified by the Chamber of Commerce with jurisdiction. State entities will also provide information to the Chambers of Commerce, in order to register the data in respect to the contractors, such as contract awarded, contract performance indicator, amount of contract, value of fines and description of fines imposed.

Inabilities and incompatibilities may take place before or after the selection process. Once the selection process starts, the inability or incompatibility may take place during the selection process or during the performance of the contract. The latter inabilities or incompatibilities are called ¨surviving inabilities or incompatibilities¨. Effects Arising from inabilities and incompatibilities Issues Identified Prior to the selection Process (a) In regard to the selection process:



Report to the Chamber of Commerce in such a way that the inability will be recorded for future purposes; and



Report to the General Attorney‟s Office of the Nation, that is the Colombian entity that exercises the disciplinary control on public aspects including state contracts.

(b) In respect to the contract:



The legal representative of the state entity may terminate or avoid the contract;



If a good faith failure is proven, possible disciplinary penalty for gross negligence of the officers who took part in the contracting process;



Impossibility to contract with the State during the five (5) years following the execution of the contract; and



Possible criminal liability of public officials and contractors.

Absence of inabilities and incompatibilities The inabilities and incompatibilities are exceptional situations and comprehensive under Colombian law. The latter prevent the participation of the bidder in a selection process. Inabilities and incapacities are defined pursuant to various regulations which are enforced to protect the public interest and relate to the achievement of fixed levels of impartiality, effectiveness, efficiency and morality during the execution of contractual operations. Inabilities and incompatibilities can only be established by law. Therefore, the state entities themselves cannot establish inabilities or incompatibilities. In general terms, the inabilities and incompatibilities seek to avoid the execution of contracts with the state in case of family ties, or previous ties between the contractor and the directors of the state entity and the penalties imposed to the contractor in the past, among other circumstances.

Effects Arising from Surviving inabilities or incompatibilities: (a) In respect to the selection process: 

Termination of the bidder participation within the selection process; and



Correlative impossibility to assign its participation to any third party.

(b) In respect to the contract: 7

Limitations to benefits include refusal by the Chamber of Commerce to issue any certificate on behalf of the bidder (regardless of the aforementioned, Chambers of Commerce may keep the bidder‟s historical records in their files).



Assignment of the contractual position to a third party, prior approval by state entity;



Termination of contract if no assignment is possible; and

Project corporations



If the situation affects any member of the association scheme such as a consortium or a temporary union, the affected member must assign its contractual position within the association scheme to a third party that has no ties with the remaining members.

These are commonly used in concession contracts related to construction. The partners are bound by a promise to incorporate the company. This promise must be incorporated into the offer. If the state contract is awarded to the project corporation, then it must be incorporated. The liability of the partners is the same applicable to the members of a consortium.

Definition of Legal Structure or Associative Scheme Consortium or temporary unions The general contracting code confers them capacity to enter into a contract, notwithstanding the fact that those association schemes do not have a legal entity status. This means that consortiums and temporary unions do not have the legal status of a corporation, but are able to enter into state contracts as if they were corporations. The members of the consortium or temporary union have an individual and joint liability before state authorities, in respect to the obligations related to the offer and the contract. Under this liability regime, the state entity may act against any member and claim the total amount arising from the non-fulfillment of the obligation. Each member of the consortium or temporary union must register in the RUP, in the case of those contracts for which said requirement is mandatory. It should be noted that the main difference between a consortium and temporary union is that, if any bidding/contract non-compliance penalty is enforced upon the latter, such penalty will be imposed individually to each of the members of the temporary union, according to the degree of involvement each one had in the execution of the obligations in question, while if enforced upon the former, penalties will not be individualized and all consortium members will jointly liable regarding the penalty imposed.

Participations by Foreign Companies Pursuant to Decree 1464 of 2010, all foreign legal entities or individuals with a domicile or branch in Colombia willing to enter into an agreement with any Government Entity shall be duly registered under the Single Suppliers Register (RUP). Therefore, 

Foreign entities with a branch in Colombia will register before the Chamber of Commerce where the branch is registered, pursuant to special regulations specified in Decree 1464 of 2010.



Foreign individuals domiciled in Colombia shall submit a statement (understood to be made under oath) indicating the municipality where they are currently domiciled. If a foreign individual were to have more than one domicile, such foreign individual shall register before the Chamber of Commerce with jurisdiction at the municipality where the individual‟s main business office is established.



Foreign individuals with no domicile in Colombia, or foreign entities with no branch in the country, who are willing to enter into contracts with government entities are not required to be registered under the RUP. The current situation of such foreign individuals and entities is verified by the contracting entity, pursuant to provisions specified in article 53, Decree 1464 of 2010.

Single-purpose corporations

Fulfillment of qualification factors

These corporations are created with the sole purpose of submitting the offer and performing the contract. If the contract is not awarded to the singlepurpose corporation, then it will be dissolved. The liability of the partners is the same liability applicable to the members of a consortium.

Qualification factors or requisites are defined as the minimum criteria applied to identify the bidder‟s capacities. These requisites shall not be deemed as scoring parameters, but rather as verification tools. On a case-by-case basis, government entities define the requirements to be applied to each bidding process. By law, compliance with such requirements will not award scoring points to the

bidder under the bidding process, since such requirements are merely the minimum or enabling requisites which all applicants must meet to become eligible to participate in the actual selection process. Pursuant to Law 1150 of 2007, and as a general rule, Chambers of Commerce are required to verify all data submitted by companies under the RUP, as evidence to support their experience and eligibility. Hence, government entities are not authorized to demand as further evidence any document that has already been verified by a Chamber of Commerce with jurisdiction. Consequently, in order for government entities to make an objective selection during the process of awarding a contract resulting from a bidding process, Law 1150 of 2007 provides the following as enabling requisites for bidders: 1.

Legal capacity.

Experience levels.

Financial capacity.

Biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x; organization.

3.3

Bid Scoring Criteria

Items 2, 3 and 4 of article 5, Law 1150 of 2007, specify the regulations that govern the bid scoring process. As a general rule, the technical and financial elements of each bid will be weighed against the terms and conditions specified in the corresponding invitation to bid. 3.4

Treatment to National and Foreign Offers

The general contracting code contains the reciprocity principle of treatment between national and foreign offers. According to this principle, an equal treatment is given to national and foreign bidders, provided that national bidders receive the same treatment as foreign bidders in the country of the latter. In any event, national offers have priority if there is a tie. Currently there is a legal regime that supports national industries. In this respect and in order to support those industries, there is a legal distinction between national goods and services and foreign goods and services. If the goods or services are

national, the state entities assign a specific percentage score within the selection process, which is higher than the one given to offers containing goods or services of foreign origin. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, it should be noted that Colombian laws provides the same legal treatment given to national goods or services to any good or service of foreign origin that were to be provided or rendered as part of the execution of a contract with a government entity, inasmuch as the country of origin of the bidder in question reciprocates and gives equal treatment to Colombian goods or services. 3.5

Selection Process

Bidding Bidding is one of the selection processes specified in Law 80 of 1993, pursuant to which a contractor will be selected as a result of a procedure by which a public entity publicly calls on all persons legally able to participate, and invites them, under the principle of equal opportunity, to submit their proposals. The bid that is deemed as the most favorable to the Colombian public is then selected. Public biddings will be legally applicable to all cases in which government entities need to acquire goods, works or services, except for those events specified in items 2, 3 and 4 of article 2, Law 1150 of 2007; that is, those events in which government acquisitions are deemed as eligible for abbreviation selection, contest of merits, or direct contracting processes. Biddings are public processes that, driven by the principle of equal treatment, intend to make an objective selection of public contractors. As a general rule, selection processes are performed as biddings, unless a special regulation exists which overrides this general choice of process and is specifically applicable to the topic object of the selection process. These processes are subject to a case-by-case regulation called terms of reference. Bidders must strictly abide by the provisions set forth in the terms of reference. The content of same is incorporated into all contractual activities, including the sales contract. Bidders produce and submit their proposals within strictly defined terms. Then, an evaluation report produced by the government entity is forwarded to 16

bidders, as a means to obtain feedback, comments and opinions by participants. Once the referred to above events are completed, the government entity may or may not choose to award the contract which results from the bidding process.

demobilization and reinsertion programs for members of illegal armed groups, programs for assistance to victims of violence and violation of human rights; and 

Contracts related to goods or services for security or national defense purposes.

Short-term Selection Process – Abbreviated Selection Contest of Merits The abbreviate selection is another process specified in Law 1150 of 2007, pursuant to which a contractor will be selected as a result of a procedure that, due to the characteristics of the object of the contract, the contracting circumstances, or the value or destination of the goods, works or services to be provided, can be simplified to guarantee the effectiveness of the contractual management practices implemented by the Colombian Government. It applies in the following cases:



Acquisition of goods and services with common technical characteristics and usually required by state entities;



Contracts for small amounts. In order to determine whether or not a contract is for a small amount, it is necessary to check the general contracting code, which contains guidelines that permit a joint analysis between the annual budgets of state entities and the sums described in terms of minimum wages;



Contracts for rendering healthcare services;



In case that a competitive bidding process is cancelled by the state entity, that is, when the state entity decides not to award the contract to any bidder;



Real estate sale contracts;



Contracts related to products or agricultural origin or destination;



Contracts required to carry out customary activities of commercial and industrial state entities and of corporations with private and public investment, when the public investment is higher than the private one;



Contracts entered into by state entities which activity involves the performance of programs intended to protect threatened persons,

Pursuant to Law 1150 of 2007, this type of selection process promotes the contracting of consultant or expert services under projects which encourage contracting efforts driven by talent and experience rather than by price.8 Consulting services contracted via contest of merits procedures pertain to all assessments required for the execution of investment projects, diagnostics, program prefeasibility or specific projects, as well as technical advisory on coordination, control and supervision activities. Consulting contracts also include those whose main purpose is to perform activities such as auditing, consulting, advisory, work/project management, top management, and programming and execution of designs, blueprints, project outlines and projects. Under this type of selection process, contests sponsored by government entities may be open or pre-classified; in the latter case, definition of the list of pre-classified bidders is made through a public invitation to bid. Since the purpose of the agreement for this type of contracting mainly addresses the offering of intellectual products, then the proposal evaluation process is targeted to the qualification of the bidders‟ intellectual assets, and takes into account all criteria applicable to the bidder‟s work team and the proposal‟s technical aspects. In contests of merits, the bid price shall not be deemed as an effective selection indicator. Direct Contracting Direct contracting takes place exceptionally, since most of the state contracts are subject to bids or contest procedures. Direct contracting can only occur if there is a legal base that gives rise to that process.

Gonzalo Suarez Beltrán. Reforma al Estatuto General de Contratación de la Administración Pública. Legis. 2007. 17

Under a direct contracting process, there are more flexible terms than those obtained in bidding processes. In any event, selection processes both by public bidding and by direct contracting are subject to the principles of state contracts, including equal treatment and the obligation to make an objective selection. The following are the legal bases upon which direct contracting processes are allowed:



Situations of latent urgency.



Loan agreements.



Inter-administrative agreements, inasmuch as any obligation arising from said agreements is directly related to the object of the executing entity, as provided by law or the entity‟s own bylaws. Exceptions to inter-administrative agreements include contracts for public works or procurement, trust management agreements and public trusts, whenever public higher-education institutions are the executing party. These contracts may be entered into by said entities, inasmuch as they participate in public biddings or abbreviations selection processes, as specified in items 1 and 2 of the foregoing article.



In those cases in which the executing party‟s regime is other than the one specified in Law 80 of 1993, the execution of the contract will always be subject to the administrative function principles referred to in article 209 of the Colombian Political Constitution; the objective selection duty; and, the inabilities or incompatibilities regime discussed under Law 80 of 1993, except for those cases in which the executing party is a public higher-education institution; if such is the case, the undersigning and execution of the contract may be performed pursuant to the specific contracting rules specified by such entities while observing all applicable regulations arising from the principle of university autonomy provided for in article 69 of the Colombian Political Constitution. In those cases in which the executing public entity requires subcontracting for any of the activities deriving from the principal contract, neither the executing party nor the subcontractor may contract or engage

individuals or entities who have effectively participated in the production of any preliminary study, design or project that is directly related to the object of the principal agreement.



Insurance contracts entered into by government entities are excluded from the legal figure of inter-administrative agreements.



Contracting of goods and services by the National Defense sector or the Colombian Administrative Department of Security (DAS), as these goods and services require high levels of secrecy and confidentiality at the time of purchase.



Contracts for the performance of scientific and technological activities.



Trust management agreements entered into by public entities, whenever such entities enter into a Liabilities Restructuring Agreement, as specified in Laws 550 of 1999, and 617 of 2000, as amended and supplemented, inasmuch as the trust management agreements are entered into by and between the aforementioned public entities and any public financial entity.



Whenever availability of suppliers is severely limited within the market.



The rendering of professional and management support services, or of artistic services that may only be executed by a select group of natural persons.



The leasing or acquisition of real estate.

3.6

Exceptional Clauses (Inclusion into the Agreement)

In state contracts, there may be clauses that grant certain powers to state entities over private entities. Those powers are contained in the general contracting code and seek to materialize an adequate, expeditious and proper contractual performance. In case of fundamental breach of contract, the power may entail a penalty, as it is the case with the so called lapse of contract. Exceptional clauses are excluded in some contracts. In other contracts, they may be included and in other they must be included.

Contracts in Which Exceptional Clauses are Excluded Exceptional clauses cannot be included in the following contracts:



Construction contracts.

In respect to public utilities contracts, it is necessary to make a distinction between domiciliary and non domiciliary public utilities.



Contracts involving international public parties.



Contracts regarding cooperation and assistance activities.

In the former, the regulatory commissions determine the cases and contracts where exceptional clauses must be incorporated. In the latter, their inclusion is mandatory.



Inter-administrative agreements.

3.7



Loan contracts.

Unilateral Interpretation



Donation contracts.



Contracts regarding commercial or industrial activities by public entities, which do not match the activities specified for contracts requiring exceptional clauses.



Contracts required for the execution of scientific or technological activities.



Insurance contracts undersigned by government entities.

This term is applied to those cases in which a dispute arises between the public entity and the private party, due to differences in the interpretation of any contractual stipulation, in circumstances under which such dispute may lead to the disruption or alteration of the utility service which, under any other circumstance would be provided pursuant to the terms of the contract. In case no agreement may be reached among the parties, the public entity, by ways of a motivated administrative action, will make their own interpretation of the contractual term in question.

Contracts That Allow the Inclusion of Exceptional Clauses It is possible to include exceptional clauses in the following contracts:



Supply contracts; and,



Service agreements.

In practice, it is common to find this type of clauses in supply agreements, since they represent one of the main sources procurement of state entities.

Contracts in Which the Inclusion of Exceptional Clauses is Mandatory

Exceptional Clauses (Types of Clauses)

Unilateral Modification This term has the same purpose as the unilateral interpretation clause. In case that there is a difference with the private party and in the absence of an agreement, the state entity goes on unilaterally to modify the contractual terms by adding or eliminating works, supplies or services. In this case, the private party may terminate the contract if the modification is equal to or higher than twenty percent (20%) of the contract value initially agreed. If there is a termination, the parties will go on to liquidate the contract. Unilateral Termination

Exceptional clauses must be included in the following contracts:

Unilateral termination may be enforced by the public entity by means of a motivated administrative act, if any of the following situations were to exist:



Contracts regarding activities deemed as Government monopolies.



Whenever public utilities requirements demand the termination of the agreement, or whenever public policies require such termination;



Utilities contracts.



 Public goods concession contracts; and,

Death or total incapacity of the private contractor (if an individual); or, dissolution of a

company, in which case the warrantor may continue to comply and execute the contract;

principles of due process and fair trial will be honored to the fullest extension of the law.



Legal injunction or declaration of bankruptcy, in which case the warrantor may continue to comply and execute the contract; and



Any suspension of payments, insolvency or court order to freeze assets against the contractor, inasmuch as such requirements may severely affect the execution of the agreement.

The government entity may materialize the aforementioned penalties by way of paying any outstanding balance to the contractors, either by executing the corresponding guarantee or by any other means within its reach that may allow disbursement of said payment.

Under any of the clauses referred to above, the contractor will have the right to receive any sort of compensatory payments that may arise from the government entity‟s decision to terminate the contract. Lapse of the Agreement If there is a breach of contract by the contractor, which seriously and directly affects the contractual compliance and may lead to its interruption, the state entity may order, by virtue of a reasoned administrative act, the termination and liquidation of the contract.

3.9

If unforeseeable events, beyond the control of the party affected take place during the contractual performance, and those events alter the economic balance of the transaction, the affected party is entitled to obtain the restoration of the economic balance up to a point where it has no loss. If the unforeseeable events form a part of the usual or ordinary risks that arise from the contract, then there will be no right to restoration. If the restoration is applicable, then the parties shall adopt, as soon as possible, all economic and financial measures that lead to the restoration of the economic balance of the transaction. 3.10

If the entity decides not to exercise this power, adopts the measures to guarantee the fulfillment of the contract, notwithstanding its right to take possession of the works or installations or its right to continue immediately with the contractual performance, by means of a guarantor or another contractor. In case that the lapse is declared, the contractor would not be entitled to compensation, would have inability to participate in any bidding or competitive process, and would not be able to enter into contracts with the state during five (5) years following the declaration of the lapse of contract. 3.8

Penalties

Under Colombian law, penalties are not deemed as exceptional clauses. Nonetheless, the National Government and the private contractor may include such penalties in the contract to be entered into by and between them. Most public contracts include penalties that provide government entities with the right to enforce the penalties included therein upon the contractor, in case of any breach of contract. The government entity shall then follow a procedure to enforce the penalties agreed on, and such procedure will involve a public hearing in which the

Economic Balance

Dispute Resolution

The parties of state contracts may stipulate arbitration in order to obtain a final and binding solution of their disputes. However, Colombian case law, in the field of state contracts, has determined that the legality of the so called exceptional clauses is not within the scope of the arbitrator‟s jurisdiction (lack of objective arbitrability). According to said case law, exceptional clauses refer to public policies and sovereign powers of the State. Therefore, the arbitrability of these clauses is not possible, since the arbitrators have been characterized as private parties that act as judges occasionally and transitorily. Thus, domestic arbitration, within the field of state contracts, is possible in respect to almost any situation that arises from a state contract, except the legality of exceptional clauses. In any event, Colombian state entities may be the subject of international arbitration either with investors (investment arbitration) or private contractors (commercial arbitration). In fact, Colombia is party to the New York Convention on the recognition and enforceability of foreign arbitration awards and also party to the Washington Convention, whereby the International Center for Settlement of Investments Disputes (ICSID). On the 20

other hand, Colombia recently closed negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement with the United States of America (FTA). Therefore, in case that any differences arise between investors and state entities on the parts of the treaty, such differences may be submitted to investment arbitration, pursuant to the rules contained in the treaty.

4. Legal Labor System of Colombia

4. 4.1

LEGAL LABOR SYSTEM OF COLOMBIA Foreign employees

The entrance to the country of foreign employees, as well as their stay and exit are regulated by the Colombian government, but always based on international treaties. Foreign employees have the same rights and obligations as local employees, except the diplomatic privileges in certain matters such as controls of the authority during their stay in the country (National Constitution of Colombia, article 100). Colombian laws apply to foreign employees from the time when they sign the employment agreement, which must be made in writing. Foreign employees have not obligation to enroll in the pension systems with the social security authorities, if they are covered by social security programs in their countries, which provide them similar benefits.

4.2

Working Hours

Both the employer and the employee are free to agree the working hours without exceeding the legal limit of hours per week. The law provides a work week of forty-eight (48) hours. The employer and the employee may agree that said work period be performed in flexible work hours distributed in a maximum of six (6) days a week, with a mandatory rest day (Article 161 of the Labor Code, modified by article 51 of Law 789 of 2002). The employer and the employee may agree on the mandatory rest day; in any event, the employee must take Saturday or Sunday. The number of hours worked per day may be divided in a variable manner with a minimum of four (4) continuous hours per day and a maximum of ten (10), without need to pay overtime for the two (2) additional hours. The employer may increase these hours if it pays overtime at the rates established.

4.3

Overtime

In no case the day or night overtime may exceed two (2) hours per day and twelve (12) hours per week (Article 22, Law 59 of 1990). One (1) overtime daytime hour (that is, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) must be remunerated with twenty-five percent (25%) of increase over the ordinary work hour (Article 168, Labor Code and Article 25 of Law 789 of 2002). On the other hand, one (1) overtime nighttime hour (that is between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.) must be remunerated with an increase of seventy-five percent (75%) over the ordinary work hour (Article 168 of the Labor Code). One (1) normal night time hour is remunerated with an increase of thirty-five percent (35%) over the ordinary work hour (Article 179 of the Labor Code, modified by Article 26 of Law 789 of 2002). Increases may be simultaneous, that is if one hour of overtime required to the worker is worked on a Sunday or holiday, it would have a surcharge of 100%, 25% for being overtime and 75% for being a Sunday or holiday. 4.4

Vacations

Every employee is entitled to fifteen work days of paid vacation per year of service (Article 186, Labor Code, modified by Article 27 of Law 789 of 2002).

eighteen (18) years of age exceptionally may work, but provided they have authorization from their parents and from the Ministry of Social Protection (Article 30, Labor Code). Children from twelve to fourteen (12-14) years old may work a maximum of four (4) hours a day and twenty-four (24) hours a week in light jobs (Article 161 of the Labor Code). Youngsters from fourteen to sixteen (14-16) years old may work a maximum of six (6) hours a day and thirty-six (36) hours a week (Article 161 of the Labor Code). Young people from sixteen to eighteen (16-18) years of age may work a maximum of eight (8) hours a day and fortyeight (48) hours a week (Article 161 of the Labor Code). 4.6

Every January, the government establishes the minimum monthly salary for workers that will serve as reference for salary negotiations (Article 145 of the Labor Code). The minimum monthly wage fixed for year 2011 is COP $535.600 (approximately USD $285). Based on the country´s inflation rate every year, the minimum monthly salary is increased (Law 278 of 1996). However, this minimum salary is a very low sum of money. In most cases it is not enough to have a decent standard of living. 4.7

If the employment agreement ends, and the employee has not taken the corresponding vacation, the Labor Law authorizes the remuneration of the vacation time in cash (Article 1 of the Law 995 of 2005). The right to remuneration in cash exists regardless of the time worked, that is, it exists as of the first day. (Judgment by the Constitutional Court C-019 dated January 20, 2004). The Labor Code was modified in this issue by the Law 1429 of 2010. This modification establishes that the employer and the employee can agree the vacation‟s remuneration in cash, as long as the employee required it before. (Article 20 of the Law 1429 of 2010). 4.5

Minimum Wage

Unionionized Employees

Mass termination of labor agreements requires the express authorization in writing by the Ministry of Social Protection. Any termination of agreement will be deemed as mass termination in accordance with the company‟s total employees and the period of time elapsed while agreements are effectively terminated. (Article 67, Law 50 of 1990). 4.8

Legal Service Bonus

Every year, in the months of June and December, employers are required by law to benefit all their employees with a legal premium pay. This legal premium pay is equivalent to a fifteen (15) working days salary. (Article 306, Labor Code). For labor settlement purposes, the legal premium pay is not deemed as a salary.

Minimum Age 4.9

As a general rule, the Colombian Constitution prohibits employment of children under fourteen (14) years of age in most jobs. Youngsters under

Transportations allowance

Employees earning up to two (2) minimum monthly wages are entitled to a transit subsidy benefit 23

equivalent to COP $63.600 per month (approximately USD $33.80) in 2011 (Decree 4835 of2011). 4.10

Work Clothing

Employees earning up to two (2) minimum monthly wages are entitled to receive from their respective employers, a pair of work shoes and work clothes consistent with their line of work, three (3) times a year (Article 230, Labor Code). 4.11

Severance

Upon expiration of the labor agreement, each employee is entitled to receive an additional payment called severance, which is equivalent to a one-month salary for every year of service, and proportionally for any outstanding portion of time (Article 249, Labor Code modified by Article 21 of Law 1429 of 2010. This article abolished the authorization from the Social Security Minister to pay the severance). Every year, this payment is deposited in a Private Severance Fund chosen by the employee. The employee cannot withdraw this severance while the employment agreement is in effect, except if the funds withdrawn are intended to buy or improve the home or for college education (Article 256, Labor Code). 4.12

Interests on Severance

Together with the payment of the severance, the employee is entitled to receive annual interest of twelve (12%) percent on the severance. This amount is deposited in the personal bank account of the employee. It has to be paid in January of each year using the rate of the severance accrued during the immediately preceding year (Article 1, Law 52 of 1975). 4.13

Integral Salary System

Employees whose monthly income equals or exceeds ten minimum monthly salaries may choose to be remunerated through this system (Article 132, Labor Code). The integral salary system includes the base salary and the fringe benefits, which shall not be less than thirty percent (30%) of the base salary. The resulting amount is equivalent to thirteen (13) minimum monthly salaries. All legal benefits, except

vacation, are included with the monthly salary payment (Article 132, Labor Code). This type of integral salary system must be established between the parties by means of a written document and for the year 2010 the integral salary is COP $6.962.800 (approximately USD $3,703).. 4.14

Integral Social Security System

Every employer has the obligation to enroll his employees in the social security entities that the employee voluntarily chooses, to cover all risks that may affect his health or income. The enrollment is mandatory for all dependent or independent workers. The integral social security system is established for pensions, healthcare, work-related risks and other supplementary services that the Colombian legislation may define. If a worker earns more than twenty five (25) minimum monthly legal salaries, the maximum limit on which the contribution to the pension system and in general to the healthcare and work-related risks systems is made is of twenty-five (25) minimum monthly legal wages. 4.15

Healthcare

The contribution to the social security for healthcare is equivalent to twelve point five percent (12.5%) of the base salary, which shall not be less than the minimum monthly legal wage. Eight point five percent (8.5%) of this sum has to be paid by the worker and four percent (4%) by the employee. 4.16

Pension Regime

Pensions in Colombia cover old age, disability by ordinary risk (that is, not related to work accident or disease) and death. Article 15, item 2 of Law 100 of 1993 sets forth that foreigners who remain in the country under an employment agreement, must be enrolled in the social security system for pensions, provided they are not protected by another regime in their country of origin. Accordingly, any foreign worker who has this risk covered does not require to be enrolled. Employees enrolled in the General Pension System may choose the pension fund they prefer. Once the initial selection is made, they can only change funds 24

once every five (5) years, counted as of the initial selection. After January 29, 2004, the employee enrolled cannot change pension fund when ten (10) or more years remain until he has the age to be entitled to old age pension. The contribution rate is of 16% of the base income; the employee assumes 4% and the employer 12% of the contribution. Employees who earn more than four (4) minimum monthly legal salaries must pay one percent (1%) additional on their salary for the solidarity fund. And the contribution to the fund increases if the salary is higher, as follows: 

4 to 16 minimum monthly wages: 1%



16 to 17 minimum monthly wages: 1.2%



17 to 18 minimum monthly wages: 1.4%



18 to 19 minimum monthly wages: 1.6%



19 to 20 minimum monthly wages: 1.8%



Over 20 minimum monthly wages: 2.0%

will increase one point five percent (1.5%) of the income basis of calculation for every fifty (50) weeks in addition o the minimum number required, reaching a maximum pension from eighty percent (80%) and seventy point five percent (70.5%) of said income. Voluntary Savings Regime The member enrolled in this plan may be pensioned at any age up to 60 for women and 62 for men, provided he has enough capital accumulated in his account to obtain a pension of one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the minimum monthly legal wage then in effect. Depending on the level of savings the employee has, the system defines amounts payable. If applicant fails to have an accrual that suffices the minimum requirement to become eligible for old-age pension, then applicant will be entitled to a reimbursement of any credit balance he/she may have in his/her pension account, or otherwise, be awarded a substituting indemnification. 4.18

Disability Pension

Contributory System

In general terms, there are two (2) pension systems in Colombia: One is Medium Premium with Definite Benefit or pay-as-you-go, which the one is assumed by the ISS (Social Security Institute). The other is the Individuals Savings with Solidarity, which consists in the contribution that is made to a pension fund previously selected by the employee. It is worth mentioning that Government employees and employees of the private sector that so wish it, belong to the pay-as-you-go system. 4.17

Old-Age Pension (OAP)

Medium Premium Regime (Pay-as-you-go) In order to have access to the old age pension it is necessary to be 55 years of age (women) and 60 (men) and one thousand two hundred (1200) weeks of contributions to the ISS up to the year 2011. In addition, the number of weeks of contributions will increase in January of each year by 25 per year until one thousand three hundred (1.300) are reached in 2015. The monthly amount for the old age pension will be from 55% to 65% of the income basis of pension calculation. However, as of 2005, the percentage

Disability due to illness – Member must have contributed fifty (50) weeks within the three years immediately preceding the pension structuring date and twenty percent (20%) fidelity from the time that he turned 20 years of age and the date of first classification of the disability condition. Disability due to accident – Member must have contributed fifty (50) weeks during the three-year period prior to the occurrence of the event that caused the disability. Underage – Individuals under the age of twenty (20) will only need to demonstrate a minimum of twenty-six (26) weeks of contributions within the calendar year prior to the occurrence of the event causing the disability, or the date in which same was formally certified. The amount of the disability pension will be fortyfive percent (45%) of the income basis of the pension calculation, plus one point five (1.5%) of said income for every fifty (50) weeks of contributed credited to the member after the first five hundred (500) weeks contributed, when the reduction in the work capacity is equal to or exceeds fifty percent (50%) and lower than sixty-six percent (66%).

If the level of work disability is equal or higher than sixty-six percent (66%) of the employee‟s full ability to work, then the percentages referred to above will increase as follows: Fifty-four percent (54%) of employee‟s base income for settlement, plus two percent (2%) of said income for every additional fifty (50) weeks of contributions over the initial eighthundred (800) weeks, as duly accredited by the applicant. Disability pension payments may not exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the applicant‟s base income for settlement.

Under no circumstance will the disability pension payment fall below the legal minimum monthly wage level.

4.20

Contribution will be paid in full by the employer, and shall depend on the class and degree of risk imputed to the economical activity performed by the employee. If employer fails to provide employee with this coverage, then employer will become directly liable for covering of all expenses arising from professional risks affecting the employee. In case of permanent disability, the worker will be entitled to pension payments equivalent to sixty percent (60%) of base income for settlement; however, in case of total disability, pension payments increase to seventy-five percent (75%) of base income. In the case of survivor‟s pension, payable amount will be equivalent to seventy-five percent (75%) of base income for settlement. 4.21

Solidarity System The same information indicated for the Medium Premium Regime is applicable. 4.19

Survivor’s Pension

Medium Premium Regime (Pay-as-you-go) Survivor‟s pensions will only be granted to employee‟s beneficiaries (eligibility is further described below). If no beneficiaries exist, then no survivor‟s pension will be granted. Beneficiaries – The following individuals will be entitled to a survivor‟s pension:



The members of the family group of the individual pensioned for old age or disability for ordinary risk who dies, and



The members of the family group of the member of this system, who dies, provided that he has contributed fifty (50) weeks within the three (3) years immediately prior the death, and the following conditions are evidenced.

Survivor‟s pension payments will be equivalent to eighty percent (80%) of amounts payable to employee, had he/she been granted an old-age pension. Voluntary System Regime The same criterion to identify beneficiaries is applied. If there are no beneficiaries, the unused capital will correspond to the estate.

Professional Risks

Temporary Work Visas / Visas for Employment Agreement (Decree 4000 of 2004)

Visas for employment agreement are available to foreigners who perform professional and specialized work for private and government entities or for individuals, board of directors‟ members, technicians, administrative personnel of foreign companies or industrial companies that must be transferred to Colombia for a specific task, as well as for foreigners appointed in an organization or government entity. These visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Colombian Consulates. A visa for employment agreement is issued for up to two (2) years and is voided if the holder leaves the country during any period of six (6) continuous months. The holders of visas for employment agreement must register at the Foreign Affairs Division of the Administrative Department of Security – DAS within sixty (60) days following their arrival to Colombia, and then apply for their alien card. To register foreigners must present a valid passport and the additional information required by the DAS. 4.22

Temporary Work Visas / Eligibility Requirements (Resolution 255 of 2005)

To receive a visa for employment agreement, the applicant must present the following documents: 

Original employment agreement, administrative act or hiring agreement, as the case may be. In the case of the foreigner that 26

is transferred from the home office to the affiliate, he shall present a note from the entity specifying the position to be held. 



4.23

Letter from the Colombian employer expressing his commitment to bear all employee´s repatriation expenses and, if applicable, of his family, to the country of origin or last place of residence, if the employment agreement terminates or if the employee is deported or expelled from the country. If the employer is an entity, certificate of existence and legal representation, issued not more than three (3) months before and, if necessary, copies of the Company‟ balance sheets. If the employer is an individual, he most evidences his monthly income in excess of thirty (30) minimum monthly legal wages in effect. Authenticated photocopy of the professional degree, duly legalized and homologated, or evidence of experience. Engineers, accountants and technicians, among others have special requirements. Business Visas (Decree 4000 of 2004, Resolution 4700 of 2009)

Business visas are granted to tradesmen, industrialists, executives and businesspeople wishing to enter Colombia for business purposes. Business visas are granted for a maximum of four (4) years, and entitle the holder to travel back and forth to Colombia, with maximum stays of six (6) months each.

evidence of financial good standing or a commitment note by his/her Colombian sponsor whereby the latter accepts to take liability for the applicant‟s good conduct while in the country.

Applications must be submitted before a Colombian consulate official, or forwarded to the Visas Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Depending on the applicant‟s nationality, proceedings may require payment. Special temporary visas may be granted to investors who effectively make investments in Colombian companies or trade establishments. 4.24

Temporary Visa – Technical Assistance Permit (Decree 4000 of 2004)

People, who enter Colombia temporarily to provide urgent technical services, must obtain a temporary visitor visa or entry permit, providing a letter of responsibility from the party who request the service, justifying the urgency. The visa or entry permit will be granted by the Consulates or by the Administrative Department of Security (DAS), in the case of the entry permit, for up to forty-five (45) calendar days, with multiple entries. If the service has to be rendered for a longer period, a temporary work visa must be requested.

Business visa holders may neither establish their residence in Colombian territory nor earn professional fees or salaries in Colombia. Any breach to said regulations may result in the holder‟s deportation and the enforcement of penalties upon his/her employer. To be granted a business visa, applicant shall ask his/her employer to undersign and file a request on behalf of the prospect employee. If employer is a company, the note must be undersigned by the company‟s legal representative and shall include as an attachment, a certificate of good standing and incumbency, or an equivalent document. Likewise, the applicant must forward a note explaining the reasons for his/her visiting Colombia, as well as 27

5. Environment Aspects

ENVIRONMENT ASPECTS

5.1

Legal Framework

The Colombian Code of Renewable Resources (CRR) was enacted in 1974, and has been complemented thereinafter by various decrees which provide for the protection of the country‟s environment.

Corporations (CAR) that control the natural renewable resources within their jurisdiction and are committed to the sustainable development of those resources.

Additionally, the Colombia Political Constitution of 1991 modernized the applicable legal framework by including several environmental regulations accepted worldwide. The environmental rights and rules are established for the citizens as well as the means to require them.

The most recent legislations on the matter include Decree 2820 of 2010, , whereby formal definitions for environmental issues are specified, and various related procedures, such as the granting of environmental licenses, are covered; Law 1021 of 2006, called the “Forests Law”, whereby new regulations on forest issues are instituted;.

The Colombian Constitution appointed environmental jurisdiction to various public entities that are currently liable for the supervision of all environmental planning, prevention and protection activities in Colombia. The major environmental authorities are the Ministry of Housing, Land Development and the Environment, entity responsible for the management of all environmental matters and of non renewable resources, as well as the Autonomous Regional

Likewise, Law 1259 of 2008 established the socalled “Environmental Summons” (Comparendo Ambiental), as a punitive measure applicable to both, individuals and entities that breach any environmental regulation in force, regarding solid residue, debris and waste disposal activities. Applicable penalties vary from filing educational memos to enforcing economic penalties for amounts of up to twenty (20) legal minimum monthly wages.

The Environmental Penalty Procedure was established by The Law 1333 of 2009. It defined the Environmental sanctions, the penalty procedure and preventive actions and some faculties of the Environmental Ministry. As for the observance of international environmental regulations, Colombia ratified the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, agreed on September 16, 1987, as adjusted and/or amended in London (June 29, 1990), Nairobi (June 21, 1991), and Copenhagen (November 25, 1992). Also, Colombia is party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climatic Change (UNFCCC), agreed in New York, on May 9, 1992. 5.2

Mining sector: Exploitation of coal, construction materials, and metals and gemstones, as well as extraction of other minerals.

Construction of dams and reservoirs with capacities exceeding 200 million cubic meters of water. For dams and reservoirs of smaller capacity, applicants shall be granted an environmental license by the corresponding Regional Autonomous Corporation.

Electrical energy sector: Construction of electrical power plants generating energy in excess of 10 MW;; project exploration and use of alternate sources of energy; and, expansion or installation of the National electric network system..

Nuclear energy projects.

Port, Sea, Land and Air sector: Construction of international airports and landing strips, construction of docks and expansion of infrastructure for deep-draft vessels; port dredging; and, construction of highways, tunnels and secondary roads.

Construction of railways and expansion of the national railway network.

Public fluvial works.

Construction and operation of irrigation systems.

Environmental Licenses

Environmental licenses are authorizations granted by the Colombian environmental authorities to entities willing to perform projects, civil works, or any other activity that might endanger the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x;s landscape or renewable natural resources. Furthermore, environmental licenses may specify requisites whereby the licensees may be required to prevent, mitigate, correct, compensate, and manage environmental effects arising from the performance of activities or civil works included therein. The Ministry of Housing, Land Development and the Environment, the Regional Autonomous Corporations (CAR), the Sustainable Development Corporations, the Territorial Entities designated by the Autonomous Regional Corporations (CAR), and some municipal governments are considered environmental authorities and would be in charge of granting licenses depending of the importance, location and impact of the project.

10. Importation or production of pesticides or any

toxic product used in agriculture. 11. Any project that might have a negative impact

on Colombiaâ&#x20AC;&#x;s National Nature Reserve areas. The Ministry of Housing, Land Development and the Environment has restricted jurisdiction to grant licenses for large scale projects. According to Decree 2820 of 2010 a license granted by the Ministry or by an Autonomous Regional Corporation is necessary in order to carry out the following projects: 1.

Hydrocarbons sector: Exploration, exploitation, perforation, transportation, delivery, mobilization of liquid hydrocarbons, and construction of warehouses, oil pipes, or hydrocarbon refineries.

12. Any project developed on behalf of Regional

Autonomous Entities, as appointed by section 2, Sub-item 19 of article 31, Law 99 of 1993. 13. Entry of foreign animal or vegetable species to

Colombian territory, which can affect the environmental stability 14. Construction of highways, tunnels and

causeways. 15. Any other project specified in articles 8 and 9

of the aforementioned decree.

In order to obtain a license, the applicant must present an environmental impact study and the means to prevent or control any damage that it may cause. The requirements for the license are established by Law 99 of 1993 and since then by Law 491 of 1999. Currently, Decree 2820 of 2010 includes the regulation that must be obeyed in order to obtain environmental licenses. To obtain a license for considerable impact projects (according to the definitions expressed in Decree 2820 of 2010), the interested party must present to the competent authority an environmental diagnosis of the alternatives accompanied by the ―¨National Environmental License Application Form¨ (. It is important to bear in mind that no project or civil works will require more than one environmental license. Colombian environmental legislation has defined a procedure that: enables competent authorities to amend, grant, or suspend any environmental license; specifies the liabilities to be undertaken by the interested parties; and, describes the surveillance powers granted to competent authorities as a means to supervise the adequate exercise of the granted license.

The so-called Environmental Guidelines (Guías Ambientales) are briefings issued by the Colombian Ministry of Housing, Land Development and the Environment, whereby technical contents addressing specific production sectors are provided as an orientation for the proper performance of all environmental operations and procedures during the execution of the activities object of the environmental license. Said guidelines are specified in Resolution 1023 of 2005, and compliance therewith is deemed as a technical requirement for the effective granting of an environmental license. Currently, there are Environmental Guidelines available for the following industrial sectors in Colombia: Hydrocarbons, Energy, Agriculture, Industrial Manufacturing, and Infrastructure and Transportation. Pursuant to Laws 633 of 2000 and 344 of 1996, activities involved in the granting, renewing and following-up on Environmental Licenses require payment of certain taxes in Colombia. Such fees are variable and depend on the costs incurred by the government while performing all surveys and verifications required in the process of granting,

renewing or following up on the effectiveness of the granted license. 5.3

“Green Taxes”

Any type of business, project, work, or activity which directly or indirectly uses the Colombian atmosphere, waters or soils, or which disposes of waste within country borders, will be subject to retributive charges. Compensatory and retributive tax charges are not deemed as income or transactional taxes; pursuant to Law 99 of 1993, the Colombian Ministry of Housing, Land Development and the Environment must fix a minimum payable fee, as well as certain criteria to determine whether, in some specific cases, an additional sum is to be paid by the interested parties, depending on the depreciation level of the affected natural resource, the degree of social and environmental damage caused, and the costs of renovating the affected resource. Compensatory taxes must be paid up by any user of the country‟s natural resources, as a means to cover for all renovation costs involved. Similarly, retributive taxes are enforced as a means to compensate for any damage caused by the authorized users upon the country‟s natural resources. An example of green, retributive taxes currently in effect in Colombia is the regulatory framework governing the use of water sources in Colombia. Any user or class of person who affects the country‟s water resources is required by law to invest 1% of the project‟s equity in the preservation and maintenance of water sources. Pursuant to regulations in Decree 1900 of 2006, the Ministry of the Environment shall see to it that such investments are effectively made, and shall further enforce any applicable penalty upon noncompliance with said requirement. In the case of taxes applicable to waste disposal, such rate is intended to charge the user with the estimated amount an environmental authority would incur in, had it been the actual user and needed to remove such waste. Calculation of this tax rate is based on a number of variables, including regional factors, volumes and frequency of disposal efforts, as well as the amount of collateral damages arising from substances being disposed. Additionally, a percentage of the yearly property tax imposed upon Colombian taxpayers is allocated to 16

the regional environmental authorities called Autonomous Regional Corporations for the protection of renewable natural resources and the environment. Additionally, municipalities may choose to charge a surtax that shall not be of less than 1.5 per thousand, or in excess of 2.5 per thousand on the appraisal of the goods that serve as a basis to calculate the property taxes 5.4

Special Charges for the Energy Industry

According to Law 99 of 1993, which regulations became effective by Decree 1933 of 1994, modified in part by Decree 1729 of 2002, the electric sector must transfer a percentage of its gross sales according to the following: 1.

Hydroelectric power generation plants must transfer three percent (3%) to the Regional Autonomous Corporations, one and one half percent (1.5%) to the municipalities and the districts of the hydrographic basin that supplies the reservoir and another one and one half percent (1.5%) for the districts where the reservoir is located. For total of 6%.

The sale of national or imported equipment and supplies used to construct, install, assembly and/or operate environmental monitoring and control systems will be excluded from the value added tax (VAT). The imported equipment that is not manufactured in Colombia and is used in recycling, treatment or reprocessing of trash or waste, treatment of residual water, sewerage, cleaning of rivers or environmental sanitation, to control and reduce CO2 emissions or others harmful for the atmosphere, is not subject to VAT. Deliveries of natural gas to domiciles, both in cylinders and by pipelines, will not be taxed with the value added tax. Income from the sale of electric power, generated by wind, biomass or agricultural resources, as well as the income from the rendering of Ecotourism or development of new forest platforms, are considered exempt for income tax purposes.

Thermal generation plants must transfer two and one half percent (2.5%) to the Regional Autonomous Corporations, one and one half percent (1.5%) to the municipalities where they are located. For a total of 4%.

The above mentioned government offices must allocate those sums to protect the environment and recover affected areas. This regulation is applicable to the sale of power produced by public companies owned by the state and private companies with generation plants which installed base is over 10,000 kw. Please take note that the transfer of money made by hydroelectric and thermoelectric plants may be considered tax as percentage of gross sales. 5.5

Tax Incentives

The Colombian law contemplates certain tax incentives to encourage investment in technology that protects the environment. Investment to control and improve the environment is deductible from the income tax. The deduction shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the tax reported by the taxpayer, before deductions.

6. Intellectual Property

INTELLECTUAOPERTY

6.1

Generalities

In Colombia, intellectual property rights are divided into two main categories: (i) Industrial property, which covers new creations (patents), know how (industrial secrets), and slogans; and, (ii) copyrights, which make reference to the protection granted to artistic, scientific and literary works susceptible of being reproduced or distributed in any form, as well as to rights by artists, performers and producers of audio recordings and owners of copyrights on computer programs. Colombian laws provide for criminal, commercial and civil sanctions applicable to breaching parties as legal means to protect and call on the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

distinctive signs, industrial secrets, and new creations. Distinctive signs include trademarks, slogans, commercial names and commercial emblems. New creations include inventions, patents, utility model patents, industrial designs, and integrated circuit (IC) layout designs. 6.3

The common regime for industrial property is Decision 486 of the Andean Community of Nations, effective on December 1, 2000. In Colombia this provision is regulated by Decree 2591 of December 13, 2000 and regulatory Resolution of January 15, 2001. 6.4

6.2

Common Regime

International Treatments

Industrial Property

As stated above, protection of the industrial property is divided into three main categories:

Colombia adopted the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (approved by Law 178 of 1994), WTO TRIP (Trade Related Aspects of

Intellectual Property Rights of the World Trade Organization, approved by Law 170 of 1994 and the Patents Cooperation Treaty – PCT – (approved by Law 463 of 1998) among others.

and, a commercial emblem is a distinctive sign for a specific commercial establishment.

6.5

Upon registration before the Trademark Bureau (Colombian Superintendence of Industry and Commerce), owner of a trademark will be granted the free and exclusive entitlement to the use of such sign, as well as the right to deter any illegal or unauthorized use of said sign by any third party (Articles 154 and 155, Decision 486).

Local Legislation

Decree 2591 of 2000, regulatory resolution 210 of 2001 and External Resolution 10 of 2001 (also known as Single Circular) of the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce, that develops Decision 486 and the corresponding domestic procedures. The Colombian Code of Commerce (currently suspended in regard to industrial property matters, pursuant to Decision 486 of the Andean Community of Nations). 6.6

Trademarks, Trade Slogans, Collective Trademarks, Certification Marks and trade Names and Emblems

Legal Framework



Common Regime: Decision 486 of the Andean Community of Nations (Article 134 – 199).



Local legislation:

Decree 2591 of 2000 (Articles 15 and 16).

Resolution 210 of 2001 (Articles 17 to 21).

Single Circular (Title X).

A trademark is a distinctive sign for a specific product or service in the market. All trademarks must be distinctive and graphically reproducible (Article 134, Decision 486). A slogan is a word, phrase or caption used as a supplement to a given trademark. Slogans are always linked to a specific trademark or trademark registration request and, therefore, are bound to the products or services identified by brand and effectiveness thereof (Article 175, Decision 486). All provisions under the title “Marks” in Decision 486 of 2000 are applicable to trade slogans. A commercial name is a distinctive sign for a specific economic activity, company or business;

Rights Granted

The term of a commercial slogan will be that which is defined for the related trademark (Article 178, Decision 486). As opposed to any entitlement on trademarks, all entitlements on commercial names and emblems become effective upon initial commercial use, and are terminated upon final suspension or discontinuation of use of commercial name, or when company or establishment using said commercial name ceases to operate. Registration is not mandatory, but might serve as evidence in potential disputes over first historical use. Registration



Distinctive signs for specific products and services in the market, capable of being geographically reproducible (Article 134, Decision 486).



Trademark registration requests only cover one (1) class of products or services, and must be submitted before the Colombian Trademark Bureau (Article 138, Decision 486).



The Nice International Classification of Goods and Services for trademarks applies in Colombia (Article 151, Decision 486).



Priority may be claimed on the basis of a historical first filing of a request in another country, inasmuch as claim in made within the six (6) months following initial request in Colombia. This procedure provides protection similar or analogous to that which is in effect in Colombia (Article 9, Decision 486).



It is possible to claim as filing date of a trademark registration application: The date on which a trademark has distinguished goods or services in a fair or show official recognized and carried out in any country, provided that when the registration is requested within the following six (6) months counted as of the date on which those goods or services are shown for the first time under said trademark (Article 141, Decision 486).

Licenses and Transfers Any trademark already granted, or trademark registration request in progress, may only be transferred or assigned through a written instrument, and the resulting agreement shall be filed before the Trademark Bureau (Article 161, Decision 486). Trademark emblems may only be transferred, assigned or licensed in conjunction with their related trademarks.

of common use or a generic word (thus losing its distinction capacity – Article 169). Likewise, it is possible to request the cancellation of a trademark registration when the same is confusingly similar to a recognized trademark (Article 235). Collective Trademarks A collective trademark is a distinctive sign that differentiates the origin or any other characteristic common to various goods or services from different companies that use such distinctive sign under the control of a single owner (Article 180, Decision 486). Certification Trademarks A certification trademark is a sign applied to products or services to indicate that said products or services meet certain quality standards or alike which have been duly certified by the trademark owner (Article 185, Decision 486).

Cancellation of trademark registration 6.7 Cancellation actions based on the use of a registered trademark may be filed against the registration of trademarks that have not been used during the three (3) years prior to the date on which the cancellation action was filed. The action may also be used as a defense against opposition processes filed on the basis of the non use of trademarks (Article 165, Decision 486). It is possible to request the partial cancellation of a trademark registration when the trademark has not been in use in some of the products for which it has been registered (Article 165, Decision 486). The person that obtains a favorable resolution will be entitled to a preferential right on the registration. Said right may be invoked as of the presentation of the request for cancellation and up to three months following the date in which the resolution of cancellation may be enforced (non appealable) (Article 168). It is also possible to request the cancellation of the registration of a trademark when it becomes a sign

Commercial Names and Emblems

Pursuant to Article 611 of the Colombian Code of Commerce, all regulations regarding commercial names will be applicable to commercial emblems. Legal Framework



Colombian Commerce Code (Articles 603 and 611).



Andean Community Decision 486 (Articles 190 to 199).



Decree 2591 of 2000 (Articles 17 and 18).



Resolution 210-2001 (Articles 22 and 23).

Definitions The term “commercial name” defines any distinctive sign that specifically identifies a certain economic activity, company or trading establishment. Any company or establishment may have more than one commercial name. Among others, the corporate name, the corporate purpose, or any other name filed as part of any registration of persons or

partnerships procedure may be used as the commercial name of a company or trading establishment (Article 190, Decision 486).

6.8

Rights Granted



Decision 486 (Articles 201 to 224)

Rights on commercial names are granted to the first historical use of the distinctive sign for commercial purposes. Registration of commercial names is not mandatory, but might be used by the interested party as evidence in potential disputes over first historical use (Article 603, Commerce Code; Article 190, Decision 486).



Decree 2591 of 2000 (Articles 19 to 21)

Registration of commercial name grants no right on such distinctive sign. First historical use will be presumed as that which is initially recorded after the date of registration (Article 605, Commerce Code). The owner of a commercial name may deter any third party from commercially using an identical or similar distinctive sign, or one that causes confusion or the risk of associating a third-party company, products or services to the owner‟s own company, products or services (Article 192, Decision 486). Registration of a commercial name is effective for a period of ten (10) years, and may be renewed for successive ten-year periods (Article 196, Decision 486). Renewal of a registration of commercial name shall be requested to a Trademark Bureau within six (6) months prior to the registration‟s date of expiration, or within six-month grace period granted after actual expiration. Authorities may request evidence of use as a requisite for further renewals (Article 198, Decision 486). Licenses and Transfers Transfer and licenses of registered or deposited trade names shall be registered at the competent national offices in accordance with the procedure applicable to transfer and licenses (Article 199, Decision 486).

Denominations of Origin

Legal Framework

Definition As denomination of origin is understood a geographic indication consisting of the denomination of a country, of a region or of a specific place, or consisting of the denomination that without being that of a country, a region or a certain place, refers to a specified geographic zone, used to designate a product originating in it and which quality, reputation and other characteristics are due exclusively or essentially to the geographic medium in which it is produced, including natural and human factors (Article 201, Decision 486). Declaration of protection for a denomination of origin The declaration of protection for a denomination of origin will be granted officially at the request of whoever may evidence to have a legitimate interest, it being understood that these are individuals or legal entities, engaged in the extraction, production or manufacture of the product or products that they seek to protect by the denomination of origin, as well as associations of producers. The state, department, province or municipal authorities are also considered to be interested parties, when they refer to denomination of origin of their respective circumscriptions (Article 203, Decision 203). The authorization for the use of a denomination of origin legally protected will be granted for a period of ten (10) years, renewable for similar periods (Article 210, Decision 486). Component national offices shall recognize the denominations of origin or geographic indications protected in third countries, provided in any event that it is contemplated in a convention to which the member country is a party. To request said protection, the denominations of origin shall have been declared as such in their respective countries of origin (Article 219, Decision 486).

6.9

Integrated Circuit Layout Design

characteristics such as novelty, inventive steps, and industrial applicability (Article 14, Decision 486).

Legal Framework



Decision 486 (Articles 86 to 112).



Decree 2591 of 2000 (Article 12).



Resolution 210 of 2001 (Article 15).

Definition An integrated circuit is a product, in its final or intermediate form, of which at least one element is an active element, and all of whose interconnections constitute an integral part of the body or surface of a piece of material which is intended to perform an electronic function. On the other hand, the layout design is the threedimensional arrangement of the elements, regardless of form, of which at least one is an active element, and their interconnections into an integrated circuit, as well as said three-dimensional arrangement is prepared to be used in an integrated circuit to be manufactured. (Article 86, Decision 486). Layout designs shall be protected only if they are original designs (Article 87). 6.10

Patents

Legal Framework



Decision 486 (Articles 14 to 80).



Decree 2591 of 2000 (Articles 6 to 11).



Law 463 of 1998 whereby the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) was adopted.



Resolution 210 of 2001 (Articles 10 to 14).



Single Circular by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce. Title X.

Rights Granted and Other Legal Aspects Patents for inventions of any product or process should be granted to new creations featuring

The following shall not be considered as inventions: discoveries, scientific theories, and mathematical methods; any living thing – either partial or complete – as found in nature, natural biological processes, biological material as found in nature, or material that may be isolated, including the genome or germplasm of any living thing; literary or artistic works, or any other aesthetic work protected by copyrights; blueprints, guidelines and methods as required to perform intellectual activities, play games, or carry out economic and business activities; computer programs (software), as such; and, methods to present information (Article 15 of Decision 486). An invention shall be deemed new when not a part of the state of the art (Article 16 of Decision 486). Patent rights are granted for a term of twenty (20) years, counted as of the filing date of the corresponding application (Article 50 of Decision 486). Effective patents grant their owners the right to prevent third parties not previously authorized from any of the following acts: a) Where the subject matter of the patent is a product: (i) manufacturing the product; (ii) offering for sale, selling, or using the product, or otherwise importing it for these or any other purposes; and, b) Where the subject matter of the patent is a process: (i) using the process; or, (ii) performing any of the acts referred to above, in paragraph a) with respect to any product obtained directly from the process (Article 52 of Decision 486). Owners of the patent shall be under the obligation to exploit their patented invention in any Member Country, either directly or through any person duly authorized. Upon expiration of a three-year period, counted as of the granting date of the patent, or of a four-year period, counted as of the filing date of the patent‟s application, whichever is longer, the competent national office may grant a compulsory license for the industrial manufacturing of the product covered by the patent, or for the comprehensive use of the process covered by the patent, if at the time the application is filed, the patent has not been exploited under the terms specified in Articles 59 and 60, in the Member Country in which the license is requested; or, if the exploitation of the invention has been suspended for more than one (1) year. Compulsory licenses 22

will not be granted if the owner of the patent is able to justify his failure to act with a valid reason, such as force majeure or act of God, in accordance with local provisions in effect in each Member Country. Compulsory licenses shall be granted only if, prior to the filing of their application, the requesting parties had made efforts to be granted a contractual license from the patent owner under reasonable commercial terms and conditions, and such efforts had not been successful for a reasonable period of time (Articles 59 and 61 of Decision 486).

dimensional external shape, line, profile, configuration, texture, or material, without the utility or purpose of said product being thereby changed, shall be deemed as an industrial design. (Article 113, Decision 486). Protection is granted for a period of ten (10) years, counted as of the filing date of the application. 6.13

Plant Variety Protection

Legal Framework Colombia is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) as of year 2001. 6.11



International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) 1978.



Andean Community Decision 345.



Decree 533 of 1994.

Utility Model

Legal Framework



Decision 486 (Articles 81 to 85).



Decree 2591 of 2000 (Article 12).

Definitions and Entitlements

Definition and Entitlements Any new shape, configuration, or arrangement of components of any device, tool, instrument, mechanism or other object, or any part thereof, which enhances or differentiates the operation, use, or manufacturing of the object incorporating it, or which endows it with any utility, advantage, or technical effect said object previously did not have shall be deemed as a utility model (Article 81, Decision 486).



Utility models shall be protected by patents (Article 81).



Protection will be granted for a non-renewable term of ten (10) years. (Article 81).

6.12

Industrial Designs

Any person who has created varieties of plants, when such varieties are new, uniform, distinctive and stable, and when a generic name has been given thereto, may apply for a Breeder‟s certificate before the Plant Varieties Office (in Colombia, the Colombian Institute of Agriculture – ICA [for its acronym in Spanish]). Certified breeders may then prevent third parties from using the protected plant variety, as well as all products derived thereof. Breaches to any right granted by the breeder‟s certificate will be subject to legal actions as provided by law. Protection will be granted for a term of twenty-five (25) years for grapevines, fruits, and foresting trees, and of twenty (20) years for other species, counted as of the granting date of the certificate.

Legal Framework

6.14

Copyrights



Decision 486 (Articles 113 to 133).



Decree 2591 of 2000 (Articles 13 and 14).



Resolution 210 of 2001 (Article 16).

Protection granted to artistic, scientific, and literary works that may be reproduced or disclosed in any known way, as well as any right granted to any artist, performer and producer of audio recordings, or to the intellectual owner of any computer program shall be deemed as copyrights.

Definitions and Entitlements The particular appearance of a product that may result from any arrangement of lines or combination of colors, or any two-dimensional or three23

Legal Framework

Computer Programs (Software)



Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (Approved by Law 33 of 1987).



Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (Approved by Law 48 of 1975).



WTO-TRIPS [Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights] (Approved by Law 170 of 1994).

Copyright provisions deem computer programs as literary works. Protection covers operative and applicative programs, either in source code or object code. Both, authors and holders of copyright may authorize changes into the programs for proper use. Users of computer programs legally available may copy and adapt same, provided said copies or adaptations are essential for the programs to run properly, or are intended to be used as back-up; that is, to replace the legitimate copy legally purchased, if the latter can no longer be used, due to damages or loss.



WIPO-WCT (Approved by Law 565 of 1999) and WIPO-WPPT (Approved by Law 545 of 1999).



Andean Community Decision 351.



Law 23 of 1982.

The licenses and transfer of software must be registered at the National Authority of Copyrights.



Law 44 of 1993.

6.15

Reproduction of any computer program, even for personal use, requires an authorization by the owner or bearer of copyright thereto, except for backup copies.

Enforceability of Intellectual Property Rights

Protection Criteria Copyright does not protect ideas, only expressions thereof. Registration In Colombia, the registration of copyrights is not necessary for the purposes of their enforcement, so the lack of registration of the fact of not registering any of those works does not prevent them from being protected. However, registration with the National Direction of Copyrights is highly recommended, since it is an effective tool against unauthorized copies and it is efficient evidence to prove the rights which facilitates their negotiation and defense at the courts.

Colombian laws provide for legal actions that can be undertaken against any industrial property infringement in connection with trademarks, patents and copyrights, inasmuch as the criminal act is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Likewise, acts of unfair competition (Law 256 of 1996 and Decision 486) and enforceability of legal actions (Decision 486) are specified by Colombian laws to protect industrial property rights.

Term The length of copyright is the life of the author, plus eighty (80) additional years (Law 23 of 1982).

7. Tax Matters 7.

7.1

Income Tax

Colombian Source Income and Foreign Source Income In general terms, the following are deemed as Colombian source income: 1.

Transfer or exploitation of tangible and intangible goods located within Colombian territory.

Transfer of goods within Colombian territory.

Rendering of services within Colombian territory.

Rendering of technical services, technical assistance and consulting, and the undersigning of turn-key jobs, inside and outside Colombia.

Earning of profits by Colombian companies.

Returns on credits owned in Colombia.

In general terms, foreign source income includes any revenues arising from the transfer or exploitation of tangible and intangible goods located outside of Colombia, and the rendering of services abroad. Furthermore, income generated upon certain foreign loans are not deemed as local source income. Taxation Applicable to Corporations and Entities in Colombia Main applicable aspects are: 1.

Colombian companies and entities are subject to income tax on their worldwide income. In contrast, branches of foreign corporations are subject to income tax only on Colombian source income.

In general, Colombian companies and foreign companies domiciled in Colombia, such as joint stock corporations, limited liability companies, de facto corporations, industrial and commercial companies of the State, mixed 25

economy companies, branches of foreign companies, etc. are subject to income tax at a rate of thirty-three percent (33%) on the net taxable income. 3.

Dividends of Colombian companies, paid from the profits that have been taxed at the corporate level, are not subject to taxes in the name of the partners or shareholders who are individuals resident in the country and local companies. If those dividends are paid out of the profits that have not been taxed at a company level, they are taxed at the rate of thirty-three percent (33%).

Dividends of Colombian companies, paid from the profits obtained as of 2007 that have been taxed at the corporate level, are not subject to taxes in the name of partners or shareholders who are individuals not resident in the country or foreign companies without branches in Colombia.

According to the reform contained in Law 1111 of 2006, dividends of Colombian companies, paid from the profits obtained up to December 31, 2006, that have been taxed at the corporate level, will be subject to income tax at the rate of seven percent (7%), in the name of partners or shareholders who are individuals not resident in the country or foreign companies without branches in Colombia. This tax is not payable if the profits are reinvested in Colombia for at least five (5) years.

Profits distributed to funds by Colombian companies, which have not been taxed at corporate level in the distributing company, are subject to an income tax of thirty-three percent (33%) at partner/shareholder level (nonresident natural persons or foreign corporations with no branches in Colombia).

In general, Colombian companies, branches of foreign corporations, and, under special circumstances, foreign corporations with no branches in Colombia, are all required to submit an annual income tax return.

In general, foreign corporations with no branches in Colombia are not required to submit said annual income tax return.

Taxes of foreign companies and entities without branch in Colombia, that have no obligation to file income tax returns, are

charged through withholding income taxes. Said withholding is calculated usually on the value of the price, at a rate of thirty-three percent (33%) corresponding to income tax. Certain services of a technological nature have rates equivalent to ten percent (10%) and for computer software licenses, twenty-six point four percent (26.4%). Payments made to tax heavens as defined by the Government, are subject to the rate of thirty-three percent (33%), regardless of the type of service paid. However the Goverment, has not yet defined what jurisdictions are considered tax heavens. 10. For the substitution of a foreign investor, the holder has to file an income tax return with the assessment and payment of the tax generated by the respective transaction, within the month following the closing of the transaction. 11. As of 2004, the transfer pricing rules entered into force in Colombia. By virtue of the latter, the taxpayers of income tax who perform transactions with related parties located abroad, have the obligation to consider for the determination of the income, costs, deductions, assets and liabilities, the prices or margins that they would have obtained in similar transactions between independent parties, or at armâ&#x20AC;&#x;s length. For this purpose, any of the following methods may be used: comparable uncontrolled price method, resale price method, cost plus method, profit split method, residual profit split method, and the transactional net margin method of the operation. Taxpayers may enter into previous transfer pricing agreements with the Tax Authority, in order to agree on the terms under which they will comply with the obligation of having prices or profit margins as those that would have been established between independent parties. 12. In respect to formal obligations, the Colombian transfer pricing regimen requires taxpayers to file an annual transfer pricing informative return, and to keep supporting documentation for each type of operation for a five-year period, beginning on January 1st of the year following the fiscal year in which the return is prepared, issued or received. This obligation is applicable to taxpayers with a gross equity equal or exceeding one-hundred thousand

(100,000) UVTs9, or income equal to or exceeding sixty-one thousand (61,000) UVTs. 13. Taxpayers of income tax who carry out transactions with related parties resident or domiciled in jurisdictions classified by the national government as tax heavens, are subject to the presumption (unless evidence to the contrary is presented), according to which they carry out transactions with related parties, in which the prices or profit margins have not been agreed, as would have been made by independent parties in comparable transactions. These taxpayers are subject to the above mentioned formal obligations, regardless of the limits of equity or income mentioned above. However, the government has not defined yet what jurisdictions are considered as tax heavens. 14. The non-fulfillment of the determination of prices and profit margins as would have been done by independent parties, constitutes inaccuracy, which is penalized with fines of up to one hundred and sixty percent (160%) of the lower tax or balance payable, or of the higher balance in favor of the taxpayer. In addition, the late filing or the failure to file the return, as well as incurring in errors in the supporting documentation or in the informative return, are susceptible of being penalized with fines and in certain cases, with the rejection of the costs and deductions.

to the partners or shareholders of the Company. Taxation of Individuals The following are the main applicable aspects: 1.

Taxation of individuals in Colombia depends on the source of their income, their nationality and on whether or not they are Colombian residents. According to the Tax Code, residence is the continuous stay in the country for over six (6) months in the year or that are completed within the year, or the discontinuous stay for over six (6) months in the year.

National individuals residing in the country are subject to income tax on their income both of national and foreign source. Foreigners residing in Colombia, are subject to income tax in respect to their local source income, and on their foreign source income as of the fifth (5th) year of continuous or discontinuous residence in Colombia.

For residents, income tax rates are progressive. The maximum tax rate is thirtythree percent (33%) and is applicable to taxable income in excess of four thousand and one hundred (4,100) UVT. Net income up to one thousand and ninety (1,090) UVT would be subject to an effective rate of nineteen percent (19%).

Small Business

15. Tax laws establish a presumptive annual profitability (presumptive income) for each company, calculated on its net equity. If the company shows an ordinary net income (that is, income less costs and deductions) lower than the presumptive income (minimum taxable), or if it shows losses, its net income is calculated based on the presumptive income (minimum taxable). The presumptive income is equivalent to three percent (3%) of its net equity on the last day of the immediately preceding taxable year.

Pursuant to Law 1429 of 2010, small business10 that start their activities as of December 30th of 2010, will have the following benefits:

16. Taxpayers may carry forward tax losses (net operating losses), without limitation of time or amount. This special deduction is additional to the depreciation expense that the taxpayers may also deduct. This benefit does not affect the non taxable profits distributable as dividend

A progressive income tax rate, for a period of six years.

Once the six years are over, small business beneficiary that in the previous year would have obtained gross revenues, arisen from their commercial activity, lower than 1.000 UVT, would be entitled to apply the 50% of the income tax rate.

A progressive rate for the payroll contributions and other contributions.

10 9

UVT: Acronym in Spanish for Tax Value Unit. UVT for year 2011 is COP $25.132.

Small business is a business with no more than 50 employees and which total worth does not surpass 5.000 minimum legal wages (COP $535.600 1 MLW for 2011) 27

7.2 1.

Value Added Tax The Value Added Tax (VAT) is a national tax that is levied on the services and the sale and imports of movable tangible goods. Rates vary according to the type of good or service. The general rate is sixteen percent (16%); however, there are special rates of one point six (1.6%) for some specific services (cleaning, monitoring); rates of ten percent (10%) for live animals, certain goods and certain services (lease of certain real estate assets, certain service activities associated to tourism, prepaid healthcare, among others), and rates from twenty percent (20%) to thirty-five percent (35%) for vehicles. Games of chance are subject to VAT at a rate of five percent (5%) and mobile telephone services are subject to a rate of twenty percent (20%).

Exports of goods and services are VAT exempt.

Certain goods and services are exempt from value added tax, specifically medical services, transportation services (under certain conditions), educational services, interests, public utilities (electric power, water sewage, sanitation, gas), and certain food products, among others.

7.3

7.4

Pursuant to Law 1430 of 2010, the Colombian Congress extend the Net Worth Tax which will be accrue on 2011, and will levy the net worth value of individuals, corporations or unions in fact on January 1st, 2011 which value is equal or greater than three billion Colombian pesos (COP $3,000,000,000).

The applicable rate is 2.4% if the net equity is between COP $3,000 million and COP $5,000 million. Whether the net equity exceeds COP $5,000 million, the rate is 4.8%.

Pursuant to Decree 4825 of 2010, a surtax of 25% upon the Net Worth Tax is created, for legal entities, individuals and facto corporations that are taxpayer for income tax purposes and whose net equity exceeds COP $3.000.000.000. In this order, the effective tax rate is of 3% and 6%, respectively.

Although the full value of this tax is to be reported in year 2011, tax payment will be divided into eight (8) identical installments payable in fiscal years 2011 through 2014.

Finally, the aforementioned Decree established the net worth tax for those taxpayers that have wealth equivalent or higher than one billion pesos, but lower than three billion pesos. The applicable rate when the net equity is of between one billion and two billion pesos is of 1%, and when the net equity is between two billion and three billion pesos the rate will be of 1.4%. Registration Fees

All acts or contracts, or any other legal instruments required by law to be registered before an office of public instruments registry or a chamber of commerce in Colombia, cause this tax to be levied at the time of registration.

Registration fees are defined within the ranges described below:

Acts, contracts or legal operations for an undetermined sum and subject to registration at the office of registration of public instruments, vary from zero point five percent to one percent (0.5% - 1%).

Acts, contracts or legal operations for an undetermined sum and subject to registration at the Chamber of Commerce, vary from zero point three percent to zero point seven percent (0.3% - 0.7%).

Acts, contracts or legal operations for an undetermined sum and subject to registration at the office of registration of public instruments or the Chambers of Commerce, such as appointments of legal representatives or statutory auditors, bylaw amendments that do not imply the assignment of rights or capital increases, and explanatory deeds, from two to four (2-4) minimum daily legal wages.

Documents subject to registration fees are not levied with stamp tax.

Registration fees may not be deducted for income tax purposes.

Net Worth Tax 1.

7.5

Levy on Financial Transactions

The levy on financial transactions is a national tax.

This tax is assesses at the time of a disposal of funds subject of the financial transaction, at a rate of zero point four percent (0.4%). Pursuant to article 3° of Law 1430 of 2010, from year 2014 on, the progressive removal of the levy on financial transaction is established, as follows: 0.2% for years 2014 and 2015; 0.1% for years 2016 and 2017; and 0% for 2018 on.

commercial activities, or rendering services in any Colombian municipality or special district. Certain exceptions are applicable to sales of fixed assets and exports. 2.

Each municipality or district can define its own applicable tax rate, as long as such rate falls within the following ranges provided by law:

In Bogotá: 0.2% - 3%

Other municipalities and districts (industrial activities): 0.2% - 0.7%

Other municipalities and districts (commercial activities): 0.2% - 1%

Main Exemptions 3. 1.

Saving account withdrawals not exceeding three-hundred fifty (350) UVTs.

Loan disbursements through account payments or issuance of checks by credit institutions or other financial entities.

Cashier‟s checks issued against the applicant‟s loan or savings account in same financial institution.

Transfers between savings and checking accounts of same holder in same financial institution.

National treasury operations performed directly or through executing organizations.

Financial transactions carried out with social security funds for healthcare, pensions and professional risks.

Purchase and sale operations in foreign currencies by exchange market brokers through deposit accounts at the Colombian Central Bank, or any checking account.

Offset operations with banking institutions.

Offset and settlement operations via offset and settlement systems managed by authorized entities.

7.7

The Industry and Commerce Tax paid throughout the fiscal year is fully (100%) deductible for income tax purposes. Property Tax

This is a municipal and district tax applicable to any real estate property located in the corresponding municipality or district. Tax rate is based on the formal valuation of the taxpayer‟s real estate property.

Each municipality or district can define its own applicable tax rate, which may vary from zero point one percent to one point six percent (0.1% - 1.6%) of the property value, as valuated in terms of economic status and destination of the property. In the case of undeveloped lands, developed lands with no buildings, and lands with development potential, the property tax rate may be higher, but never exceeding a three-percent (3%) limit.

The Property Tax paid throughout the fiscal year is fully (100%) deductible for income tax purposes.

7.8

Transfer Pricing Rules

Generalities

7.6 1.

Industry and Commerce Tax This is a municipal and district tax applicable to any operating and non-operating income of individuals or entities performing industrial or

Pursuant to transfer pricing rules in force, taxpayers subject to income tax who perform transactions with foreign parties or any of their economically-related parties are required to take prices and margins from comparable transactions by independent parties into account while calculating their ordinary and extraordinary income, costs, and deductions, for income tax purposes. 29

The aforementioned rule is also applicable to the calculation of assets and liabilities involved in operations with foreign economically-related parties. Unless evidenced otherwise and pursuant to transfer pricing rules, any transaction performed by taxpayer with persons or entities residing or domiciled in areas defined by the Colombian National Government as tax havens, will be deemed as a transaction performed between economically-related parties and consequently, will be subject to transfer pricing rules. Application of transfer pricing rules generates two formal obligations by taxpayers: i) filing of the transfer pricing informative return, and ii) preparation of the transfer pricing study; however, the assumptions to comply with these obligations are different, as follows: Transfer Pricing Informative Return Taxpayers who are subject to income tax, and who, on the last day of the fiscal year or taxable period, report a gross net worth equal to or greater of 100,000 UVTs (COP $2,513,200,000), or gross income equal to or in excess of 61,000 UVTs (COP $1,533,052,000), are required by law to file a transfer pricing informative return. Transfer Pricing Supporting Documentation Taxpayers are liable to file a supporting documentation, provided that the accumulated amounts by type of operation exceed the amount of 10,000 UVT (COP $251.320.000). Penalization Regime

taxpayer net worth or income, but never exceeding the limit referred to in the above paragraph. Penalty for correction The penalty will be equivalent to one percent (1%) of the values corrected not exceeding 20,000 UVT (COP $502,64,000). If the correction is voluntary it may reduced to 2% of the fine for late filing. On the other hand, when the correction is not voluntary, 20% of the operations or 10% of the income or the equity. Transfer Pricing Supporting Documentation One percent (1%) of the total value of transactions performed with economically-related parties throughout the year, if information included in supporting documentation was submitted late, or was misstated or irrelevant, or if it prevented tax authorities from verifying the proper application of transfer pricing rules. If the aforementioned value cannot be defined, the penalty will be equal to zero point five percent (0.5%) of the taxpayerâ&#x20AC;&#x;s income or net worth, but never exceeding 15,000 UVTs (COP $ 376,980,000). One percent (1%) of the total value of transactions performed with economically-related parties throughout the year, if taxpayer failed to submit the information included in the supporting documentation. If the aforementioned value cannot be defined, the penalty will be equal to zero point five percent (0.5%) of the taxpayerâ&#x20AC;&#x;s income or net worth, but never exceeding 20,000 UVTs (COP $502,640,000).

Transfer Pricing Informative Return As in the case of the rest of the penalization regimes applicable to tax returns, the applicable regime to the transfer pricing informative returns penalizes the same events, as follows: Penalty for late presentation This penalty is equal to one percent (1%) of the transactions performed with economically-related parties, but never exceeding 20,000 UVTs (COP $502,640,000). If tax base (value of transactions with economicallyrelated parties) cannot be defined, the penalty will be equal to zero point five percent (0.5%) of the

8. Foreign Matters

Colombia is in a privileged position to have access to international markets, through trade and tariff preference agreements that guarantee better conditions of access to Colombian products. 8.1 Tariff Benefits Unilateral Benefits Granted to Colombia: The European Union, trough the general system of preferences named Andino /SGP, give until December 11 of 2011 preferential treatment for some Colombian Products for access to his market, nearly the 90% of goods exported by Colombia are exempt from paying duty. On the other hand the tariff benefit that Colombia has until February 12 2011 named APTDEA has not been ratified by the government of the United States. Colombian companies expect to subscribe an extension of the benefits in a retroactive way to recovered increased costs they have incurred by paying the current tariff.

Regional, bilateral and multilateral agreements executed by Colombia: Colombia is party to various significant commercial agreements by Latin American countries, including the Andean Community of Nations (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia); the group of nations formerly called TLC-G3 (Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela) and currently called TLC-G2 (Colombia and México, after Venezuela‟s departure in April, 2006); the CAN-MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) (2004); the Colombia-Chile FTA (2009); and, the North Triangle (TN-CA) FTA (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras; 2010). As for the FTA undersigned with Canada in 2008, it should be noted that it is now pending for approval by the Canadian Parliament. Colombia has also undersigned other relevant Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the United States of America (in 2006) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (in 2008), both of which are waiting to be ratified by the U.S., and Iceland and Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein Congress, respectively. Furthermore, Colombia has entered the so-called “Multiparty Agreement” („Acuerdo Multipartito‟) with the European Union (EU), which 31

was formally endorsed on May 19, 2010, and is now pending to be undersigned and ratified by the Colombian Congress and the European Parliament, prior to be finally subject to previous control by the Colombian Constitutional Court. Likewise, with the purpose to provide favorable conditions to foreign investors, Colombia has entered into several Agreements on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments (ARPPIs) with Peru (2003), Spain (2007), Switzerland (2006), China (2008), and Belgium (2009), the first two of them already in effect. Concurrently, Colombia has further entered into Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) under the Andean Pact (Decision 578, in full force as of 2004) with Switzerland (2007), Chile (2007 – in force) with Spain (2005 – in force), Canada (2008), Mexico (2009) and Portugal (2010). Finally, Colombia has given full support to the Investments chapters included in the FTAs endorsed with the United States, Chile, Canada, the TN-CA, and the EFTA.

others) which enter or exit the country, must see to it that the inspection process is carried out in coordinated and simultaneous fashion, thus reducing user costs and optimizing time cycles across the logistics chain. Import Regime Imports of goods in Colombia can be carried out in various ways, depending on the fiscal treatment or use to be given to the goods object of the importation procedure. Below you will find the most widely used modalities of importation in Colombia: 

Ordinary Importation: Importer receives the goods for his free disposal within the country, once he has completed several customs procedures, including payment of all applicable customs duties (tariffs and VAT).



Short Term Temporary Importation for Reexportation in the Same Condition: Importation with suspension of customs duties for certain goods that, at the end of a six (6) month period extended for 6 more, must be exported in the same condition as they came into Colombia‟s National customs territory.



Long Term Temporary Importation for Reexportation in the Same Condition: Importation with a maximum stay term of five (5) years. Customs duties are deferred in semi-annual payments, in amounts proportional to the time the imported goods stay in Colombian territory.



Temporary Importation under Special Import-Export Systems (commonly known as “Plan Vallejo”): This modality of importation allows the receipt of raw materials, with total or partial suspension of customs duties, destined to be used in the production of exportable goods, as well as machinery and equipment for the exportation of agricultural goods or services.



Other modalities of importation used in Colombia include the following:

8.2 Foreign Trade in Colombia In order to centralize the different administrative procedures related to the obtaining of previous permits and import or export licenses, certificates of origin and registration of technology import or service export agreements, Colombia has since 2005, an Internet-based technological tool to carry out those processes, called Single Foreign Trade Window – VUCE (for its initials in Spanish) managed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism. User of the foreign trade service must register previously as importers, as importers of goods or exporters of services, in the Single Tax Register (RUT) at the Colombian Taxes and Customs Authority (DIAN). Exports Regime Exportation of goods from the National customs territory with destination to the rest of the world or a free trade zone is now a simple, quick procedure in Colombia, since most goods need no special permits, and the exportations procedure is performed via an online technology tool called MUISCA (acronym in Spanish for Single Model for Automated Revenue, Service and Control), a system designed and controlled by the Colombian Taxes and Customs Authority (DIAN). The average export times for goods vary from one (1) to three (3) days, counted as of the filing date of the Shipping Permit for the goods to be exported in the automated system referred to above. Currently, the National Government is promoting the Simultaneous Inspection program by which public entities involved in the inspection of goods (Custom officials and antinarcotics police, among

- Import with franchise. - Re-import by passive perfecting. - Re-import in the same condition. - Import in fulfillment of warranty. - Temporary import for re-export in the same condition. - Temporary import for active perfecting. - Temporary import for active perfecting of capital goods.

- Temporary import in performance of special import-export systems. - Temporary import for industrial processing. - Import for transformation or assembly.

Rates Currently there are several rates both of the customs tariffs and of the value added tax that depend on the relevant goods. Please find below some of them:

- Import for postal traffic and urgent remittances.



Customs Tariffs: 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%



VAT: 16%, 10% and 0%.

- Urgent deliveries. - Travelers.

According to their modality of importation, imported goods will become of the importer‟s free or restricted disposal. Except for the “travelers” modality, all importation modalities will be subject to customs impositions applicable to ordinary imports. The importer is responsible for selecting the modality of importation applicable to the imported goods, based on the nature and conditions of the importation operation. It should be noted that, pursuant to regulations specified in Decree 111 of 2010, official prices, indicators and estimates that were defined through administrative acts by the customs authorities, to be used as control mechanisms applicable to FOB prices declared for imported goods whenever disputes on the goods value were to arise, were effectively eliminated. Instead, any doubt about the declared value of any imported good or component thereof by a customs official shall only be admitted in any of the following cases: i)

If goods appear to be underpriced, according to the indicators specified in the DIAN‟s Risk Administration System.

ii)

If goods appear to be overtly underpriced, indicating a possible fraud, as provided for in item 3 of article 54, Community Regulations, as adopted by Resolution 846 of the Andean Community of Nations.

iii)

If any reasonable doubt arises in regard to the value declared before customs authorities, on the basis of any submitted document or any other objective and quantifiable information.

Customs Duties Customs duties caused by importation of goods into National territory are stated as a percentage (tariff and VAT) of the goods‟ value, as declared before custom authorities..

The customs tariff rates are set forth in Decree 4580 of 2006 containing the Customs Tariff and the VAT rates in the Tax Code. The National Government trough the Decrees 4114, 4115 2010 reduced the percentage of 400 rate tariffs of 7000 that currently exist, reducing the tariff rate from 12.2% to 8.3% on average. Taxable Base The taxable base on which the customs tariffs are applied is the customs value of the goods, which must be determined pursuant to the methodology established in the Value Agreement of the World Trade Organization and Decision 571 of the Andean Community of Nations. The taxable base on which the value added tax is calculated will be the same as the one taken into consideration to calculate the customs tariff, added with the value of this tax. Supporting Documents of the import declaration The filer of declaration has the obligation to obtain, prior to the presentation and acceptance of the declaration and to keep for a period of five (5) years counted as of that date, the original of the following documents that he must make available to the customs authority whenever the latter may require it: 

Import registration or license covering the imported goods, if necessary.



Commercial invoice, if necessary.



Transport document.



Certificate of origin, where required for tariff waiver purposes.



Health

certificate

and

other

documents 33

required by special regulations, if necessary.

Compliance with technical bylaws.



Packing list, if necessary.

Emissions certificate for dynamic testing.



Power of attorney, where there is no customs endorsement, and declaration of importation is filed by a customs intermediation company.

Car homologation.

Quantitative restrictions (quotas).

The Andean declaration of value, plus any supporting documents, if necessary.

Controls which ensure environmental protection based on international treaties, agreements, or protocols.



Customs clearance authorization Upon fulfillment of the legal requirements, the customs authority authorizes the disposal of the goods to the interested party through the customs clearance authorization in the import declaration; therefore, the goods will remain freely or restrictedly available, depending on the import modality to which the goods were submitted. Previous Permits

Likewise, approval of a previous license is required for the following types of imports: 

Those which are not required by law to carry out money drafts to other countries (nonrefundable).



Those requesting tariff exemptions.



Those covering used defective, repaired, reconstructed, refurbished, substandard, remanufactured, or leftover goods.



Those using the annual licensing system (mining and oil sector).



Those by public entities, except for gasoline, urea, and other types of fuels

Most of the tariff categories of the harmonized Most of the tariff categories of the harmonized system do not require approval of registration or license prior to the import by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism. Nevertheless, the import registration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism will be mandatory exclusively for imports of freely imported goods that need the requirement, permit or authorization. As requirement, permit or authorization is understood, the previous processes required by the competent authorities for the approval of the requests of import registration of: 

Fishing resources.



Private security and surveillance equipment.



Radioactive isotopes and materials.



Garments of exclusive use by Colombia‟s Armed Forces.



Hydrocarbons and fuel.



And, any product subject to:

Health controls intended to preserve human, vegetable and animal health.

Customs Procedures The process for the import of goods into the country is very easy and expeditious, since it is carried out through an Internet-based technological tool called MUISCA (Single Automated Model of Income, Services and Control) designed and controlled by the National Tax and Customs Direction (DIAN). The average time for the import of a good may take from one (1) to three (3) days counted as of the acceptance of the import declaration through the MUISCA system. Currently, the national government is promoting the program of Simultaneous Inspection, whereby public entities that participate in the inspection process of goods that enter or leave the country must guarantee that the same is made in a simultaneous and coordinated way avoiding additional costs to the users and optimizing the times in the logistics chain. Transactions in excess of USD $1,000 FOB value must be made through a Customs Agent, who must 34

be authorized by the DIAN to act on behalf of importers and exporters. However, the customs regulations permits some importers and exporters to act directly if the FOB value is lower than the one indicated or in the case of individuals or legal persons who are classified, recognized and registered as Permanent Customs Users (UAP, for its initials in Spanish), Highly Exporter Users (ALTEX), imports made by diplomats or international organizations, goods imported through Postal Traffic, Travelers, among others.

zone authorized to produce, transform or assemble goods through the processing of raw materials or semi-finished goods. 3.

All shipments that enter the country must be sent to deposit warehouses where they will be under customs controls until their import process is completed. Also, they may be sent to a Free Trade Zone, where they may remain indefinitely. Goods may remain in deposit for a maximum of one (1) month from the date of arrival of the goods to the country, while the customs shipment is made. This initial period may be extended for one additional month but, after the expiration of this extension, the goods will be declared abandoned by the Customs authorities, in which case they will become the property of the Nation.

8.3 Free Trade Zones On December 30, 2005, the Colombian government enacted Law 1004, whereby the Free Trade Zone Regime was modified mainly in respect of its investment incentives. This Law establishes that the purpose of these zones is to be an instrument for the generation of employment and attraction of new capital investments, serving as a development zone through the promotion of competitiveness of the regions where they are located. These are spaces within the national territory intended, in addition to the development of highly productive and competitive industrial processes, promotion of generation of scale economies and â&#x20AC;&#x2022;simplification of procedures for the trade of goods and services, in order to facilitate their sale.

Commercial users: Legal entities authorized to perform marketing, merchandising, and warehousing activities and others, within the perimeter of any free trade zoneTax Benefits derived from the Free Trade Zones Regime Income Tax: Law 1004 of 2005 established an income tax rate of 15% on the taxable income for operator and industrial users of goods and services, at a difference from the 33% that rules for the rest of the residents of the country. An income tax rate of 33% is applicable to commercial users. Value Added Tax: Purchases of raw materials, parts, supplies and finished goods to suppliers located in other geographical region of Colombia are exempt from the value added tax. However, to become eligible for such an exemption, transactions shall be any of those specified as part of the userâ&#x20AC;&#x;s corporate purpose. Additionally, the VAT exemption is extensive to transactions between free trade zone users. Foreign Trade Benefits 1.

The delivery of goods from abroad into free trade zones is not deemed as an import, and, therefore, is exempt from custom taxes (customs duty and VAT) while the goods remain in the free trade zone. Taxes are only caused when the goods are further introduced into the Colombian territory.

Any kind of goods of foreign origin may be stored indefinitely in the free trade zones in Colombia.

In addition, the Law establishes four types of free trade zone users: 1.

User Operators: Legal entities authorized to manage, supervise, promote and develop free trade zones, as well as to qualify other types of users.

Industrial users of services: Legal entities authorized to perform the following activities within the perimeter of a free trade zone: logistics, transportation, handling, distribution, packaging, labeling, and other production- and merchandising-related services; also, any service inherent to telecommunications, data capturing systems, tourism, information technology, scientific and technological research, healthcare, auditing, consulting, and brokerage.

Industrial users of goods: Legal entities installed within the perimeter of a free trade 35

The delivery of goods to users of the free trade zones will be authorized by the user operator without having to go through any restrictive procedure implemented by Colombian customs at warehouses located outside the perimeter of the free trade zones.

Quick and simplified delivery procedures.

Consequently, custom taxes will be caused exclusively for goods bound to the Colombian market, and only until such goods are permanently withdrawn from the free trade zone. In contrast, all goods which are stored in Colombian free trade zones and are bound to other countries are exempt from custom taxes.

8.4

VAT Benefits from Imports of Machinery and Equipment

The Colombian Foreign Trade Regime specifies multiple alternatives to promote industrialization in the country, including benefits to any person or entity who imports machinery and equipment. Below you will find a brief description of each of said alternatives: Ordinary Import of industrial machinery not produced in the country by Highly Exporter Users Ordinary importation of industrial machinery not produced within the country by a legal entity recognized by the Colombian National Taxes and Customs Authority (DIAN) as a Highly Exporter User (ALTEX, for its acronym in Spanish) is exempt from value added tax. Industrial machinery is defined as that which transforms raw materials into finished products. For their recognition as Highly Exporter Users (ALTEX), legal entities must prove that the value of their total exports represents at least 30% of their total sales during the twelve months prior to the filing of the request. Additionally, importers are required to obtain a certificate from the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism by which imported goods are classified as industrial machinery produced abroad and are imported with the purpose of transforming raw materials into finished products.

Temporary Imports of Heavy Machinery for Basic Industries The imports of heavy machinery for basic industries, the latter understood as the mining, hydrocarbon, heavy chemical, iron and steel, metallurgy extraction, generation and transmission of electric power, and obtaining purification and conduction of hydrogen oxide, are not subject to value added tax. Entities carrying out temporary imports of heavy machinery for basic industries must be granted a certificate by the Director‟s Office of the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, whereby imported goods are classified as foreign heavy machinery for basic industries. At the end of the specified period for the temporary import, and if the heavy machinery is going to remain in Colombia, the VAT will then be applied, unless the equipment is to be further reexported . Imports of Equipment and Elements for the Protection of the Environment Imports of equipment and items intended to be used in the following activities will be exempt from value added tax: 

Construction, installation and monitoring of control systems, and environmental monitoring.



Recycling and processing of waste and debris.



Purification and treatment of waste waters, atmospheric emissions or solid residues under river recovery programs or basic sanitation efforts intended to improve environmental conditions.



Execution of projects or activities that are deemed as exporters of carbon emission certificates, and which help to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases.

In order to obtain this benefit, it is necessary that the Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Territorial Development issues a certificate to the effect that the goods meet the environmental protection objectives that are being shown.

9. Investments in the Financial Sector

9.1 General Regulatory Framework

Law 1266 of 2008 – Habeas Data.

General Regulatory Framework – Financial Sector

Regulatory Framework for Accounting Single Chart of Accounts for the Financial System

Law 45 of 1990. Law 35 of 1993. Decree 663 of 1993 – Organic Statute of the Financial System.

External Circular 100 of 1995 – Basic Accounting Circular9.2 Where to Invest Credit establishments

External Circular 007 of 1996 – Basic Legal Circular Law 510 of 1999. Law 546 of 1999 – Housing LawLaw 795 of 2003. Decree 4327 of 2005. Law 1121 of 2006 – Terrorism Financing. Decree 2175 of 2007.

Credit establishments are financial entities whose main purpose is to capture public funds in the form of demand or term deposits, with the purpose of investing them through loans and discount credits, among others. 1. Banks - These are classified as commercial and mortgage banks and perform all financial operations, both in local and foreign currency, except lease operations and investment in the productive sector of the economy. These are the only entities where it is possible to handle deposits in checking accounts.

2. Financial Corporations – Authorized to invest in the productive sector of the economy, they may act as investment banks, operate term certificates of deposit, savings accounts and lend money.

3. Commercial Financing Companies - Specialized in lending capital to promote the market of goods and services. They perform financial leasing operations and their funds proceed, to a large extent to term deposit certificates.

Financial Services These are those financial entities that although borrow funds from the public, their object is to provide services related or complementary to the financing activity. Severance and Pension Funds 1.

Companies Administrators of Severance – According to the Colombian labor legislation, all employees must receive one month‟s salary per year of service. Said sum of money must be deposited by the employer in the Severance Fund and it can only be withdrawn by the employee at the termination of the employment agreement. However, during the effective term of the employment agreement, the employee may make partial or total withdrawals for the purchase of a home, home improvement or for education expenses of the children.

to comply with an objective determined by the trustor, in his own name or that of a third party called beneficiary”. The businesses carried out are grouped as follows: investment trust – ordinary and special common fund, real estate trust, guarantee trust, public trust and securitization, among others. General Warehouses The main purpose of general warehouses is to deposit, preserve and guard, manage and distribute, purchase and sell merchandise and products of local and foreign origin, on behalf of their customers. Insurance Companies and Others Insurance and Reinsurance Companies Life Insurance Companies – Life insurance companies sell life and supplementary insurance products, as well as other offerings associated to the social security system. General Insurance Companies – General insurance companies sell general purpose insurance products other than life insurance offerings. Reinsurance Companies – Reinsurance companies sell reinsurance products by which they undertake risks that have already been insured by insurance companies. Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers

Companies Administrators of Pensions – According to the Colombian labor legislation, all employees must have pension plan for their retirement, disability or death. To this effect, to select between a public or private pension fund. The contributions to the fund are made monthly and are discounted from the salary earned. Said sum is paid proportionately by the employee and the employer in the proportion established by the law.

These companies also manage Voluntary Pension Funds.

Trust Companies These are companies which corporate object is, exclusively, the conduction of trust business in their different modalities. The commercial trust is defined in the Colombian Commercial Code as “(…) a legal business whereby a person, called trustor, transfers one or more goods to another called trustee, who agrees to administer them or transfer them in order

Insurance brokers offer and promote insurance, acting as intermediaries between insurance companies and insured parties, and the Reinsurance Brokers promote the placement of reinsurance between insurance companies and reinsurance companies. Companies for Capitalization of Savings The main purpose of this kind of company is to drive savings through the accrual in any form of fixed amounts of capital, in exchange for one-time or periodical disbursements. In certain cases, saving customers are given the possibility to receive reimbursements in advance, in the form of drawings, as defined by the specific plan under which said customers are enrolled.

Foreign Exchange Agents The Colombian foreign exchange market is made up of a wide diversity of exchange agents, including money exchange offices. These legal entities perform specific exchange transactions, as authorized by the Colombian Financial Superintendence. In order to carry out foreign exchange operations legally, money exchange offices are required to meet all minimum requirements specified by Colombian laws. Other Mechanisms Foreign Investment Funds Defined as the group of funds managed by an investment company, which invests them in a diversified portfolio, distributing the product to the participants proportionately to the number of units that each one of them has in the fund. Therefore, investments by the foreign equity portfolio may be performed through an equity fund, with the sole purpose of carrying out transactions at the Colombian stock exchange. Such transactions must be made in accordance with the regulatory framework then in force in Colombia, specifically the Colombian Foreign Investments Code and the rules specified by the local stock exchange. It should be pointed out that authorized transactions are limited, and that foreign investment funds are not allowed to purchase goods with funds that are not their own. Collective Portfolios A collective portfolio is a mechanism or vehicle of fundraising or management of money or other assets, integrated via contributions of a plural number of people. Resources must be managed in a collective manner, in order to obtain collective benefits.

monies arising from the enforcement of such penalties will be accounted for as income by the collective portfolio. Stepped collective portfolios: Those in which subscribers are allowed to redeem their shares in different occasions, based on the various terms previously agreed. Closed collective portfolios: Those in which subscribers are not allowed to redeem their shares during the period of validity, but rather at the end of the collective portfolioâ&#x20AC;&#x;s term. Multi-compartment collective portfolios: Those which feature a single set of rules, but may have multiple compartments, each with different characteristics and investment plans. Entities authorized to administrate or manage collective portfolios include investment management companies, brokerage firms, and trust companies. 9.3 How to invest Incorporation and Stock Trading In Colombia, financial activities are deemed as matters of public interest and, therefore, may only be performed with previous authorization by the National Government (through the Financial Superintendence, in accordance with the requirements defined by law). Additionally, financial activities are subject to inspection, surveillance and control efforts conducted by the Financial Superintendence. Institutions operating in the financial and insurance sector and which, consequently, are subject to surveillance by the Financial Superintendence, are to be formally established only either as corporations or as cooperative associations.

Depending on the possibility of redemption of subscriberâ&#x20AC;&#x;s shares, collective portfolios are divided into three main categories: Open, closed, and stepped.

Foreign investors may participate in the capital stock of financial institutions and insurance companies by subscribing or acquiring shares, bonds mandatorily convertible into shares or corporate quotas of a cooperative nature, in any proportion.

Open collective portfolios: Those in which subscribers are allowed to redeem their shares at any time. However, according to the open collective portfolioâ&#x20AC;&#x;s own set of rules, a minimum term of engagement may be agreed on, in which case penalties will be applied to early withdrawals, and

The Financial Superintendence of Colombia will make sure about the equity, professional and moral solvency of the foreign investor, as it does with local investors.

There are minimum capital stock requirements – in accordance with the type of institution – for the incorporation of these entities. Both local and foreign investors are required to be granted prior authorization by the Financial Superintendence in any of the following cases: In order to acquire 10% or more of the subscribed shares, the capital or equity of any entity subject to the monitoring by the Financial Superintendence of Colombia, whether carried out in one or several simultaneous or successive operations, whereby said percentage in increased; failure to do so will result in penalty of nullity. Whoever wishes to own ten percent (10%) or more of the capital stock of an entity, must evidence that he owns an equity equivalent to one point three (1.3) times the capital said person has agreed to contribute to the new institution, including the latter, and must evidence that at least one third (1/3) of the funds contributed are owned by him. To acquire directly or indirectly 5% or more of the shares subscribed or of the bonds mandatorily convertible into shares of a state financial entity in a privatization process. The same authorization must be obtained when, having a percentage equal to or higher than the one indicated, the same can be increased as a consequence of the operation. In order to acquire, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the shares subscribed or of the bonds mandatorily convertible in shares of a state financial entity. Opening a Representative Office Pursuant to External Circular 7 of 1996 by the Financial Superintendence, and Decree 2558 of 2007, financial and reinsurance institutions may be authorized by the aforementioned entity to open representative offices in the country, once compliance with the requirements set forth under the Colombian legislation on incorporation of financial and reinsurance institutions is duly verified. Multilateral Credit Agencies created to improve the levels of development, productivity or quality of life in any third country; foreign public financial institutions that provide financing to exports activities; financial companies with regulatory systems governed by public international law; and, financial companies that act as loan brokers among national governments, among others, are not

required to open a representative office in Colombia. International financial organizations must establish a representation office in Colombia, which shall be exercised by an individual, who has to take office before the Financial Superintendence. Said condition can only be exercised in respect to a foreign organization and said person cannot be either administrator, legal representative or employee of insurance companies or insurance or reinsurance brokers established in Colombia. 9.4

Authorities Governing Financial Activities

Banco de la República (Colombian Central Bank) – As the country‟s central bank, Banco de la República regulates the national currency (Colombian Peso), foreign exchange activities, and the credit industry: issues local currency; manages the country‟s international reserves; acts as lender of last resort; is the banker of credit establishments; and, serves as the National Government‟s fiscal agent. Banco de la República is a legal entity of public law and, being a fully independent agency by constitutional order, operates under its own regulatory system. Ministry of Finance and Public Credit – It participates in the regulation of financial matters, stock market, insurance and other matters related to the management, development and investment of funds borrowed from the public. To this effect, it has been made responsible for establishing prudential regulations on financial matters, credit limits and other limits related to the concentration of the credit risk. Financial Superintendence of Colombia - On January 2, 2006, this entity was merged with the Superintendence of Securities. This entity is an instrumentality of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, its function is to supervise the financial sector –inspection, monitoring and control. The Superintendence defines accounting procedures specially designed for the financial sector. Also, authorizes new entities to enter the Colombian financial sector and further governs any mergers and acquisitions process in Colombia, among other financial institution reorganization mechanisms. It is also the entity in charge and organizing and promoting the stock market, as well as of complying 40

with the follow up, monitoring and supervision in respect to the agents who act in said market in order to protect the interest of investors and monitor the transparency of the market. Among the essential tasks of the monitoring and supervision carried out, we must emphasize the eventual information that must be supplied to that entity when any transaction that affects the value of the papers negotiated in the market, such as shares of financial institutions, is to be carried out. Guarantee Fund of Financial Institutions – FOGAFIN – Entity in charge of organizing and developing the deposit insurance system. It helps to strengthen the equity of financial institutions and exercises a follow up of the liquidation processes of financial institutions and insurance companies. In this respect, it is important to emphasize that the salvage program of the financial sector, developed by the National Government through FOGAFIN, permitted the control and suspension of financial risks that existed during the period 1998-1999, eliminating thus the potential crisis of the system to which the national economy could have been subject. Currently, the support to financial institutions is made through the design and implementation of mechanisms that cooperate with the entities registered in the solution of solvency problems that are recoverable either through capital or with loans. 9.5

Authorities Governing Investment Operations

9.6

Multibanking – Structure of Economic Conglomerates As of the enactment of the provisions in Law 45 of 1990, the internal structure of the Colombian Financial System runs on a multibanking (or “universal banking”) scheme, through economic conglomerates conformed by multiple financial institutions that provide services as specified by law. Said structure allows and promotes strategic alliances of financial institutions (subject to the Financial Superintendence‟s supervision and control), as well as merger, acquisition and conversion processes involving financial institutions. Furthermore, economic conglomerates have been legally acknowledged as groups of companies with certain bonds and relationships that collectively operate under special legal conditions (that is, consolidation of financial statements, or conditions under which the Colombian Financial Superintendence may perform supervisory activities). Major Characteristics of the Financial System Supervision The current situation of the Colombian financial system, in terms of financial supervision, is described below:



Financial supervision is based on the different risks to which financial institutions are exposed. Top risks financial institutions have to deal with are: i) credit risks; ii) operational and technological risks; iii) money laundering risks; iv) corporate governance risks; and, v) market risks.



Most of the supervisory activities are performed through visits or summons to financial entities.



Supervision is backed by a preventive system.



Deployment of finance computer programs help to control and supervise financial entities without the need to visit their physical facilities;



Supervisory activities also include measuring and controlling cash availability, exchange rate, and interest rate risk levels.

From the Perspective of Fund Transfers: The Central Bank (Banco de la República): Regulates the Colombian Foreign Exchange Regime. From the Perspective of Investment Requirements: Financial Superintendence of Colombia: As provided by law, this financial authority is empowered to authorize or deny the arrival of new shareholders into any financial entity supervised and controlled by the Superintendence, as well as to authorize existing shareholders to increase their company share.

Loan Institutions and Similar Entities

About Preventive Regulation



Preventive regulation allows new entities to enter the Colombian financial system, provided such new entities comply with certain requirements, in terms of their capital equity and their capacity to perform. Likewise, the Colombian Financial Superintendence (a public entity empowered to authorize any person or entity to own a share of the capital stock of any company subject to its surveillance and control) thoroughly assesses the financial soundness and good reputation of any potential new shareholder. Loan institutions are required to have a minimum solvency margin of nine-percent (9%). Solvency margin is defined as a ratio (risk-weighted assets vs. technical equity) applicable to loan institutions. Other parameters apply to financial service and insurance companies. Loans to natural persons shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the technical equity, or twenty-five percent (25%) of said equity, whenever covered by admissible guarantees. Preventive supervision is further applied to cash availability, exchange rate, and interest rate risk levels of financial institutions.

About the Granting of Loans: Evaluation Criteria



Loan types include consumer loans, home (mortgage) loans, commercial loans, and microloans.



Loans are assigned a letter ranking (from A to E), depending on the level of risk applicable to loan recovery.



Home (or mortgage) loans and consumer loans are permanently assessed, and timely payments of loan installments are taken into account for evaluation purposes. On the other hand, commercial and corporate loans are evaluated on a semiannual basis, and evaluation results are based on the entities‟ ability to pay.



Credit score rankings produced by the Financial Superintendence must be observed throughout the country‟s financial sector.



As of March, 2002, all credit establishments are required to adopt an internal credit-risk detection system known as SARC (acronym in Spanish for Credit Risk Administration System).



As of July, 2007, all financial institutions are required to adopt an Operational Risk Administration System.



As of April, 2007, the Colombian Financial Superintendence instructs on the administration of money laundering and terrorism financing risks, defining the minimum parameters that financial institutions must observe while deploying and implementing the SARLAFT (acronym in Spanish for Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Risk Administration System).

9.7

Essential Requirements for permanent accompanying to the current or future Investors by entities under supervision of the Financial Superintendence of Colombia.



Support in the transfer and management of investment resources.



Support and accompanying in obtaining government authorization from Financial Superintendent.



Support and accompanying in the tax planning.



Support and permanent accompanying in the investment follow up.



Legal support and permanent accompanying with respect to conditions related to the development of business acquired.



Support and accompanying in auditing.

Contacts Pedro Sarmiento

Diego Franco

Socio Director Tax & Legal psarmiento@deloitte.com

Socio de Tax & Legal dfranco@deloitte.com

Mario Andrade

Mario Zapata

Socio de Tax & Legal maandrade@deloitte.com

Socio de Tax & Legal rzapata@deloitte.com

Andrés Parra Socio de Tax & Legal aparra@deloitte.com

Deloitte Colombia Carrera 7 No. 74 - 09, Tel: +57 (1) 54 61810 - 54 61815 Fax: +57 (1) 21 78088, Bogotá; Calle 76 No. 54 - 11 Of. 1101 Tel: +57 (5) 36 08306 Fax: +57 (5) 36 08309, Barranquilla; Calle 64N No. 5B - 146 Sector C. Piso 3, Tel: +57 (2) 52 47027 Fax: +57 (2) 52 44836, Cali; Calle 10 Sur No. 43A - 49, Tel: +57 (4) 31 38899 Fax: +57 (4) 31 39343, Medellín.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.

Deloitte provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. With a globally connected network of member firms in more than 140 countries, Deloitte brings world-class capabilities and deep local expertise to help clients succeed wherever they operate. Deloitte's approximately 169,000 professionals are committed to becoming the standard of excellence.